EXODUS JPIC Mercy Mission

About seventy-five volunteers braved their way to the mountainous area of Caraga to help EXODUS JPIC (Justice, peace and Integrity of Creation) distribute relief goods to the residents of Barangay Itchon, Caraga, Davao Oriental who are affected by the civil war for a Mercy Mission. The volunteers braved crossing rivers and climbing mountains just to reach the affected area. Psycho-Social Processing was also conducted with those who attended the relief operations.

Based on the reports, sari-sari store owners lost their savings and capitals during the war; classes were suspended for a month because teachers were afraid of their lives; because of continued bombings and airstrikes, farming was abandoned and people relied on relief goods for survival; a number of families have not gone back to their homes relying mostly on relief operations.

About 500 food packs which came from the Province of Davao Oriental were distributed during that Mercy Mission prioritizing families who have not received any relief goods. Aside from the seventy-five volunteers of Exodus JPIC, two social workers helped in the distribution of relief goods.

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This story might appear to be ordinary but I would like to share the journey I had with this Mercy Mission:

Together with three (3) Benedictine Youth Volunteers, I joined the Exodus JPIC Mercy Mission. My main job was to be in the negotiating panel from the DSWD Davao Oriental Office. I would alight from our vehicle every military check point and would answer question on our purpose of travel especially that there were many people riding with me on two elf trucks. I noticed too that those who were riding on expensive cars were not stopped at the checkpoints. I was part of the group who made a courtesy call with the Caraga Municipal Administrator. It was both a challenge and a disappointment when we were not most welcomed by the Barangay Captain. The Barangay Captain did not expect for a big group to distribute relief goods. On the way to the evacuation center, several military men were stationed outside the houses. Because it was the first time that a religious sister has reached the area, people were doubting of my presence and immediately rumors spread that the group who arrived are NPAs (National Peoples’ Army) and that I was not a real Sister but a ploy.

All in all, the lack of sleep and limited food supply (for two days and two nights) were nothing compared to the joy I experienced with the Exodus JPIC volunteers. It was indeed a Mercy Mission. I just wish that a genuine peace-talk will begin soonest for the sake of those people who are affected by atrocities. (Sr. Evangeline Madayag, OSB)