Maryknoll extends help to typhoon Yolanda victims

Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte—With the unprecedented destruction brought upon by typhoon Yolanda to the properties and lives of the people living in Eastern Visayas, the school community of Maryknoll High School of Sto. Tomas on Monday extended cash assistance and donated in-kind relief goods which were handed over to the Diocese of Tagum, a school official said.

Sr. Ma. Evelyn Oqueza, OP, Principal of Maryknoll High School of Sto. Tomas, said that the relief effort of the school was a response from the directive of the Diocese of Tagum, requesting all diocesan-owned schools in Davao del Norte to contribute any forms of assistance for the victims of the typhoon in Eastern Visayas in a relief operation dubbed as Oplan Tabang.

“We immediately mobilized and polled resources to extend whatever form of help we can extend, especially food, clean water and clothing which we believed these are the urgent need of the people,” the Dominican nun said.

On November 25, Monday, the said school donated 2 boxes containing assorted packed-rice, canned goods, used clothes which was forwarded to the Diocese of Tagum. For cash assistance, an amount of P5, 172 for Yolanda victims and P4, 400 for quake victims in Bohol were also turned-over as part of the school’s contribution in the on-going relief efforts.

The assistance was made possible through the contributions of the students, faculty and staff, parents and good-hearted individuals in the community.

Oqueza also disclosed that one of the schools managed by the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary in Dumalag, Iloilo was struck by typhoon Yolanda and appealed for help due to severe damaged of the school buildings caused by the typhoon.

She said the typhoon ripped-off the school buildings and convents which needs an urgent repair and rehabilitation, adding that the school already extended cash assistance worth P 6, 611.00
“This is our way of showing of our deepest concern and sympathy to all the victims of calamities. We are always keen of helping others in the name of our Christian faith,” Oqueza said.

Meanwhile, in a text message yesterday, Sr. Ma. Antonina Paguntalan, OP, Principal of St. Martin Academy, has expressed, in behalf of their school community, deepest gratitude to all the students and parents who responded to their call for assistance.

“Our gratitude to all who, in one way or another, extended and positively responded to our call for assistance. May the good Lord reward your sincere generosity,” Paguntalan said.

Paguntalan lamented that only Tacloban in Leyte was given a heavy relief attention by the media and national government agencies after Yolanda flattened Eastern Visayas, adding that some parts of Iloilo like in Capiz, Dumalag, Panay, Antique and other areas were heavily damaged too. Aurel Larabaster