A report from D.A.R.T.

On December 18, two days after typhoon Odette hardly hit Palawan and parts of Visayas and Mindanao, Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D, issued his circular letter number 54 and immediately directed Fr. Bong Dublan, Jr., Director of Archdiocesan Social Action Center, to promptly mobilize the Parish Social Action Ministry together with the Parish Disaster Action Response Team. This team usually work when we are called to help the victims of the calamity. Guided by the circular the first virtual meeting happened on December 20, 2021. The team adopted the acronym D.A.R.T., which means Davao Archdiocesan Relief operation for Typhoon survivors as our slogan to promote the cause.

The members of the team are the following:

Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC); Davao Verbum Dei Media Foundation, Inc (DXGN and Herald); Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS); Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC); University of Immaculate Conception (UIC); San Pedro College (SPC); Parish Disaster Action Response Team (PDART); The Congregation of Religious Men and Women and the Archdiocesan Catholic Lay Association and Integrated Movement (ACLAIM).

After the first meeting, the information was disseminated throughout the region through DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM, other social media platforms and announcement on every Masses. As a common practice the Parishes will receive the in-kind donation and deliver the same to the relief operation center at San Pablo Parish Pavilion, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City. The second collection will go directly to the Archdiocesan finance office and other cash donations will be deposited to the account designated for calamity funds.

The first delivery with the original target of 1000 food packs and gallons of water was done on December 26, 2021. However, because of God’s generosity channeled through us, we were able to deliver 2000 food packs and gallons of water to the Diocese of Surigao. Fr. Bong Dublan, Jr and the team saw with their own eyes parts of the areas which was devastated by the super typhoon. The report was heartbreaking but it blossoms within us the grace to act charitably.

Although we are aware of our own difficulties as mentioned in the circular of the Archbishop, the Social Action Center Directors of DADITAMA spearheaded by D.A.R.T aggressively kept on knocking on a daily basis, calling out people to donate cash and or in kind to hopefully achieve our next target of 15,000 to 20,000 food packs to be delivered on or before January 15, 2022 in the Diocese of Talibon, Tagbilaran and Maasin. Each food packs contained 5 kilos of rice, 5 canned goods, 5 packs of noodles and a half kilo of mongo beans. Our campaign will not end after this, because we are still hoping to donate other needs of the people hardly affected brought about by typhoon Odette. Thus, we provide sets of items for our donors to choose from:

Set A is worth P400 that includes 5 kilos rice, 5 canned goods, 5 packs of noodles, 1/2 kl. Mongo beans. We prioritize the promotion of this set for our first deliveries.

Set B is worth P500 that includes 5 kilos Rice, 5 canned goods, 5 packs of noodles, 1/2 kl. Mongo, 1/2 kilo sugar, 12 Sachet of coffee

Set C is worth P1000 that includes Kitchen Utensils like Kaldero for 5 pax, Karahay for 5 pax, 6 pcs plato, 6 pcs baso, 6 pcs spoon, 6 pcs fork.

Set D is worth 1100 that includes Banig family size, 2 Habol, 6 pillows, 2 mosquito net.

Set E is Worth 1050 that includes Hygiene Kit like Alcohol. 500ml., 1 box Facemask, 150 ml toothpaste, Bath soap, Laundry soap, 6 sachet shampoo, Pail, Basin, 6pcs tooth brush.

We do not know if we can gather all these items but we trust in the providential love of God. We will, with open our heart and allow God to use us mightily to promote this cause despite the difficulties that we are experiencing nowadays. We are always grateful for the generosity of our faithful in Davao and the hard-working volunteers in our relief operation center.

Please continue to donate in-kind to your Parish or deliver it directly to San Pablo Parish Pavilion. You may also send your cash donation to the following account: Gcash no.: 09674029136 under the name Paul Cuison or to BDO Davao Woodlane Diversion Road, Account name: The Roman Catholic Bishop of Davao, Inc, Account no.: 010470013680 (Savings Account)

May we see and taste the goodness of the Lord throughout the year 2022. (Dennis Mabayao)