abashet:

Oct 23 2009 - approx: 930pm I got an SMS saying:  This is DSWD Sec. Espie Cabral.  May I call you?

I was so happy.

I immediately replied. My hunch was right, my friend Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros gave my contact number to the Dept of Social Welfare and Development Secretary. I told Risa if 'the lack of volunteers' is the reason why DSWD has not sent out the relief goods then she should call me.  I know  many private citizens who are willing to help out. And voila, she did.

Many are willing to pack and sort and look for options for delivery (as groups like WhiteSpace, TulongBayan, BalayExpo, Angel Brigade, LSGH, AdMU, Red Cross have been doing since typhoon Ondoy).   Since the warehouses of DSWD are filling up with donations from overseas- then it is time they be delivered to the survivors.  Families who are recovering and desperately rebuilding their lives from the recent onslaught brought about by the two typhoons.

Sec. Cabral and I talked and she mentioned that the DSWD is open 24 hours for workshifts so she agreed for us (private citizens via our NGO: Rock Ed Philippines) to try to come up with a shift-coordination-list of, at least, 50 volunteers per day - for Monday to Friday - 3pm-11pm.


I chose the time slot because it can fit in the schedule of students and young professionals. (somehow) 

My request is this.

IF YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL --- Kindly email radio@rockedphilippines.org or info@rockedphilippines.org your name, contact number and available time shifts you can commit to.  Or leave a message here on this post.  Pls indicate if you need transportation - we can probably match pick up points or carpooling.


IF YOU HAVE A CLUB/ ORG/ BIBLE STUDY GROUP/ YOGA GROUP/ WHATEVER CLUB/ JAYCEES/ ROTARY/BARKADA/ OFFICE DEPARTMENT/ SCHOOL VARSITY TEAM or BARKADA ---any group that can actually commit 10 or more people for one night -- please send one collective email lang with all your names and identify your group leader to radio@rockedphilippines.org or info@rockedphilippines.org - or leave a message here on this post....and tell us the specific time and day your group can come.   (I highly encourage this manner so that makes it easier for us to coordinate sched and you get to work with people you already know.)



IF YOU HAVE A BUS OR A VAN SERVICE THAT YOU CAN LEND FOR TRANSPO OF VOLUNTEERS FROM PICK UP POINTS IN QC, PASIG AND MAKATI TO PASAY - please email mike@rockedphilippines.org or info@rockedphilippines.org so we can coordinate the carpooling if needed.  



IF YOU HAVE A TRUCK/VAN/DELIVERY PICK UP WILLING TO LEND TO DEPLOY BGY RELIEF PACKS -email sheila@rockedphilippines.org  or may@rockedphilippines.org or mike@rockedphilippines.org


IF YOUR BARKADA IS WILLING BUT WILL NEED HELP WITH TRANSPO/ TRANSPO ALLOWANCE PLEASE EMAIL ME DIRECTLY - WAG MAHIHIYA- KAILANGAN NAMIN KAYO AT WILLING KAMING MANUNDO!! gang@rockedphilippines.org - hihingi tayo sa mga taong willing magdonate ng pamasahe ng mga studyante.  :)


IF YOU HAVE NO TIME BUT HAVE EXTRA CASH - PLEASE DONATE SO WE CAN ARRANGE FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPO FOR STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL TO WAREHOUSE AND BACK.  email me directly: gang@rockedphilippines.org or deposit to:

ROCK ED PHILIPPINES
BPI 3080-0073-44
Katipunan-Loyola Branch

Then msg me date of deposit and amount if you need an O.R. from Rock Ed. 

The DSWD warehouse is located near the NAIA Centennial Terminal (DSWD National Resource Operation Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City, behind the Air Transport Office).

Okay - with this one - we need obedient muscle - that's it.  I will report to Sec. Espie Cabral first thing Monday afternoon  -- I hope we have kind souls enlisted by then and a concrete shift list to send to her --otherwise... those goods will stay put in their warehouses as long as no one packs and delivers them out!


For additional info: 0917-7346742


If you're wondering where this action plan came from this is a reaction to the news that many warehouses are filling up with foreign donations and the deployment is not fast enough for people who are in dire need of resources to rebuild their lives.  Or even just to exist with a little dignity while waiting for chances to rebuild come around.

Political leanings are not primary at this point.  After the work is done - then we can go our separate ways again if that works for us.  Personally, for now - I will be more than happy to help the government if that means more Filipinos get what's rightly theirs. 

Thank you very much and I look forward to your generous response to this request for committed hours - I have a feeling efficiency is the key right now - and it's about time we try helping our DSWD out.  This is new for all of us, but I have a feeling it's worth a shot.

I will report to Sec. Esperanza Cabral on Monday afternoon - I hope to have a decently-populated volunteer shift table by then.

SIGN UP HERE -online enlistment form

COUNTERCHECK AFTER A FEW HOURS IF YOUR NAME IS HERE.- online sched matrix

We hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Ms. Gang  Badoy
www.rockedphilippines.org



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Photo: Rafa Dinglasan. Provident Village, Marikina - 27 Sep 2009.