The main characteristic of "civil society organizations" (CSOs) is volunteerism. In contrast, the main characteristic of government and the state is coercion. This makes the two rather a substitute, not complement, for each other. There are several instances where they collaborate with each other, and that's because government agencies, from local to national, are so many that CSOs and other volunteer individuals have to work with them to minimize duplication of certain functions.
Civil society is a state of society where citizens are mature and responsible enough to run their own lives and that of their communities with minimum coercion, restrictions, regulations and prohibitions. So in cases of calamities for instance, solidarity with the affected people and communities is instant and spontaneous. There is volunteerism in almost everywhere, the willingness to help, without being told or being coerced by a strong force under threats of penalties if no one will help, is there.
Below is an account by a physician from UP, during the UP Pahinungod assistance to victims of typhoon Bophia, locally named "Pablo" by PAGASA. A friend from "Taga UP Diliman ka kung" (TUPDKK), Dr. Elaine Nisperos, shared this in my facebook wall. I like the story, hence reposting it here.
On a side note, the Philippines is the only country in the world that gives local names to tropical storms with international names already. Countries in western Pacific including the Philippines contribute two names a year to international storms yet to come, for easier identification. So names that were given by PAGASA can be used internationally and yet when those storms enter the Philippines area of responsibility (PAR), PAGASA ignores these international names and use local names, which I think were names of children of PAGASA officials, or kids of their friends or relatives. Really unnecessary. But I digress...
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“WELCOME PABLO PARAISO”
On the night of
December 4, 2012 Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley were ravaged by the
strong winds of Super typhoon Pablo. In the darkness, families were awakened as
the strong winds carried their roofs, and shook their homes. In some areas,
flood waters rose without warning while in others, the wet soil gave way and
fell upon people’s homes. Glass breaking, walls collapsing, one can only imagine the
horrors as the families groped their way in the wet dark night. Parents used
their bodies to shield their children from falling debris as moans and cries
from helpless victims are heard through the night. The winds were relentless
even as the first light of dawn showed a glimpse of roofs flying, branches
falling and homes breaking apart.
Hundreds perished in
those few hours. To those left behind, heartache and despair await.
As news of the
devastation reached Manila, my husband, as the director of UP Ugnayan ng
Pahinungod (which is Cebuano for “offering”), and chairman of the disaster
response of UP Manila, started to mobilize his staff to see how the UP system
can extend some help to our countrymen. He is not alone in his altruism. His
office was soon deluged with inquiries from the UP Manila Chancellor, UPPGH
Director and the UP Padayon Group, as to what they could do to help.
The Ugnayan ng
Pahinungod, being the volunteer arm of the UP Manila for various outreach
projects (including medical missions), immediately contacted the Local
Government Units (LGU) of the affected area. On initial consultation with the
Office of the Governor of the Compostela Valley to determine the type of help
that UP volunteers can render, nothing specific was determined. To be able to
promptly and effectively use the limited resources that the UP System can
acquire, a more detailed plan had to be established so, the UP Alumni in Davao
were mobilized to give a more accurate view of the situation. Soon, the remote
area of San Isidro in Baganga, Davao Oriental was identified.
The task of getting
funds for the relief distribution and medical mission did not prove too
difficult. On Dec. 6, in a Christmas party of UPCM batch 85, the class decided
to donate part of their fund so that UP Pahinungod can immediately set their
plans into action. Some batchmates added more money from their own pockets.
Pledges soon came
pouring in from both domestic and foreign sources. The problem was it took too
long to convert the pledges to cash. The batch 85 donation was instrumental in
bringing relief early to the families in the affected area.
A team of 3 doctors, an
EMT, an information officer and the mission coordinator (also a dentist) from
Manila, met up with UPCM alumni in Davao City. The latter facilitated the
search for a place for the team to stay, transportation from Davao City to the
affected area and coordination with the locals.
Baganga was allegedly a
6 hour drive from Davao City but with difficult roads, it turned out to be at
least 8 hours from the city. As the team travelled to their destination, the
devastation revealed itself to them.
Hectares of land, once
filled with towering coconut trees that provided a livelihood for the families
are reduced to a wasteland of uprooted trees strewn like matchsticks on the
ground. Vast banana plantations just recently filled with fruits ready for harvest,
are barren now, comically appearing to have had a haircut done by a crazed
barber. The beautiful green mountain has been replaced by a big brown mound.
The road although still
passable, is filled with pieces of glass, nails and debris from the houses and
buildings destroyed by the storm. Many tires have been ripped by this debris,
making access to the municipalities difficult. Along the road, families have
made make-shift shelters, with materials gathered from their uninhabitable
homes.
The school, stadium and
the municipal center were in shambles. Even large houses were roofless and most
were abandoned. According to the locals, those with relatives elsewhere were
gone. Only those with no other option were left to rely on the relief goods and
help that outsiders can offer.
The team was housed in
a relatively large house owned by a local engineer. They were given two rooms
whose roof was spared by the storm. Another volunteer group, Balsa Mindanao,
joined them at the house. The latter group was given the living room, dining
room, and basement to “camp in” but as rain fell once again on San Isidro, the
UP team had to share their space with the Balsa Mindanao group and their soaked
belongings.
Ironically, the rain
continued but there was not enough usable water. The only source of water was a
“sapa” a few minutes away from the house. Bathing was a luxury even the UP team
could not afford.
The UP team, brought
with them food and drinking water. They had enough for the few days they would
be staying but the supply of food in the area is very limited. They have been
briefed by their local contacts and the Balsa Mindanao group to resist the urge
to give their food to the (once proud) people now begging for some relief from
their hunger.
In a lot that has been
cleared of debris, tables, benches, and tarpaulins attached to wooden posts
were set up to form the clinic. Medical supplies were gathered in tables that
served as the “pharmacy”. The UP team worked hand in hand with the Balsa
Mindanao group. Patients were seen and treated with their families. The air was
heavy with the pain of loss but there were smiles as wounds were treated, and
food and medicine were distributed. Before dark, 576 patients were seen and
treated by 4 doctors, close to 500 families were given relief goods as well as
medical advice. Still, this was not enough.
The families have lost
their loved ones, their homes and their source of livelihood. In the midst of
this despair, the people need some glimmer of hope. Perhaps when others see
their plight, people will reach out to help them. Perhaps, the government will
finally get organized and provide them with the basic services that are
non-existent at this point. From the initial out pouring of pledges from
various sectors, we know that there is no shortage of generosity. If only the
donations and relief goods would reach the people that need them the most.
The Ugnayan ng
Pahinungod is planning another relief and medical mission to this area on the
second week of January. Volunteers and donations are most welcome.
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