It all started on the morning of Saturday, September 26, 2009. What we thought here in Bacolod was just a usual Storm Signal 1 rainfall brought by the storm Ondoy was the start of a devastating calamity back in Manila. More than 30 areas in Luzon, including Manila, were placed under the state of calamity because of heavy and overwhelming floods caused by the tropical storm. It was estimated that more than 300 people died and up to 10-B pesos (US$217-M) was accounted for the damage in farming and fishing investments, infrastructure, home loss, wrecked vehicles, business bankruptcy. Classes and businesses were suspended for more than a month. The unusual volume of water that fell within 8 hours was already equivalent to a month of rain in the country. The flooding was the worst in Metro Manila in 40 years. The worst is far from over…
Another storm (Pepeng) hit Luzon again in a week. It hovered over the country for days pouring water at tremendous amount. This time, provinces in Luzon outside Metro Manila received its wrath.
In my generation, I would consider these twin tragedies the worst and the darkest times matching only what the Mt. Pinatubo eruption brought years back. For many, these were days of doubts and confusion, fears and uncertainties, grief and sorrow.
Despite the grim scenario, Filipinos wasted no time to reach out and help those who are in need. In a spontaneous burst of kindness, Filipinos, from different social classes, were united and determined in lifting the downtrodden spirit.
Christians of different denominations responded as well to the urgent need. Christians volunteered their time to help collect and distribute canned goods, foodstuff, medicines, clothing, and other relief items. One of the Christian organizations who responded swiftly was the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC), a coalition of Christian churches. The ICCC, through Gen. Secretary Dr. Quek Swee Hwa, communicated with the Philippine Council of Christian Churches (PCCC), their local counterpart, and sent financial assistance for purchase of needed relief items in the affected areas.
SMO National Director, Pastor Renato del Mundo, one of the key leaders of PCCC, mobilized local pastors to discuss an efficient way of identifying and distributing relief assistance to the victims. In no time, the pastors came up with a system and called the relief operation “Sagip at Pagbangon” (Rescue and Recovery) – the ICCC/PCCC Relief Operation in Luzon.
Pastor Luis Seijo, Coordinator of “Sagip at Pagbangon” reported that there were 43 recipients for the cash aid given, which amounts to a total of 215,000 pesos (US$4,664). The assistance were extended to families whose loved one(s) passed away and for repairs of church structures.
“Sagip at Pagbangon” Relief Operation reached the provinces of Rizal, Cordillera (Baguio), La Union, Benguet (La Trinidad), Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte (Laoag), and Metro Manila.
The worst and best of people could come out during these times. Calamities and tragedies have a way of humbling and uniting Christians. The storms have brought opportunities for us to exercise our faith in God and be a light and salt to the world. (Pastor RB Seijo)
SMO National Director, Pastor Renato S. del Mundo said that the conferences gave the ministry an opportunity to inform pastors about the importance of the ministry’s partnership with local churches in doing youth ministry, especially campus ministry. Pastor del Mundo also told them that their churches are welcome to attend the ministry’s trainings and programs in evangelism and discipleship for their benefit.
