23/07/2025
Disaster Waits for No One... But we were ready!
First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you for responding to the call be of service. Disaster waits for no one, and though unprepared, we came together and took to action! I am proud of the Rotary Clubs of Pasay City -- JEPROCS! It truly is the Joint Effort of Pasay Rotary Clubs!
*The Call to Action*
At around 11:30am, I got a message from District Area Director (DAD) Jamer Yapchulay telling me to take the lead. I gave him a call and asked what was needed. The district was plannning a disaster relief response, and all the areas are encouraged to prepare and coordinate with their respective Senior Deputy Governors (SDGs).
Upon getting our directives, I immediately contacted the City Admnistrator of the Pasay LGU and said, "We are mobilizing all 19 Rotary Clubs in the City of Pasay to provide disaster relief to those severely affected by the rains. I want to coordinate our efforts." Within minutes the Pasay LGU created a chat group and gave a list of things they needed...
-Food for volunteer rescuers.
-Relief packs for those stranded in their homes. Priority items include ready to eat goods such as bread, crackers, instant noodles, and bottled water.
*JEPROCS starts to mobilize one by one*
We started the text and phone brigade and asked for cash donations to speed things up. UCP Rodel Martinez (Pasay EDSA) immediately volunteered his van to pick-up and transport items. JEPROCS Vice Chairman UCP Gerald Isaga (Pasay MIA) immediately followed suit and I called up JEPROCS Secretary UCP Karen Sumandalo (Dewey Blvd Pasay) and Membership Committee Chair Sally Elago (Pasay Marina) to individually contact all the UCPs in JEPROCS.
By 2:00 PM, Rodel, Gerald and I went to purchase 100 packed meals for the rescue volunteers, and supplies enough for 200 pax. The ladies headed straight to the Pasay City Hall to prepare the assembly line, in close coordination with the Pasay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).
Upon arriving, we were greeted by Pasay DRRMO OIC Yel Salamat and were given a short briefing. He said there were about 6,850 individuals stranded in their homes due to the incessant downpour which cause massive flooding. There were areas like Maricaban, which was neck-deep in floodwater. Most people could not go out of their homes, had no food or water since the night before, and could not be reached by vehicles. The only way to get relief to them was by rubber boats.
We created a factory line and started packing what little goods we had. UCPs Dr. Tanya Baliao (Pasay Silangan), Karen Sumandal, Sally Elago spearhead the repacking, together with Gerald Isaga, Rodel Martinez and myself.
At the same time this was all happening, District 3810, under the leadership of District Governor Mary Mei Rodrigo, was also preparing to mobilize the clubs for a massive disaster relief response, calling all clubs in Manila, Pasay, Cavite, and Mindoro to participate in the repacking activities and to send their donations to purchase supplies to be distributed to affected areas.
*Streamlining operations*
Since the JEPROCS team had already started its relief operations, we requested the other UCPs to participate and join the District in their activities. UCP Rynah Ventura (Pasay Southeast) heeded the call to action and went straight to Multinational Village where things were taking shape. With everything happening at once, and so many areas that needed assistance, JEPROCS decided to prepare and deploy 3 teams for the following next day.
*Supply and delivery team* - Sally Elago (Pasay Marina), Tanya Baliao (Pasay Silangan)
*Repacking and distribution* - Eric Pasion (Pasay), Gerald Isaga (Pasay MIA), Rodel Martinez (Pasay EDSA), Patrick Mañez (Pasay Prime)
*District Support Team* - Karen Sumandal (Dewey Blvd Pasay), Rynah Ventura (Pasay Southeast), Marian Diaz (Pasay West).
At 6:00 am, the supply and delivery team went to the grocery to buy additional supplies, this time to provide assistance to 400 pax, to be divided between the Pasay DRRMO and JEPROCS disaster response team.
By 9:00 am, all UCPs converged at the Pasay City Hall to start repacking the next batch of goods to be distributed. This time, the UCPs were joined by their club members. DAD Jamer Yapchulay (Pasay Silangan) accompanied UCP Tanya Baliao, together with a handful of other Rotarians. UCP Sally Elago was joined by MIP Rolly Natividad and her family members, all members of Pasay Marina. Also assisting was PP Lorna Guiling (Dewey Blvd Pasay) and even UCP Charry from RC Kawit Kalayaan decided to join us in our repacking and distribution activities. With more people present, we were done in less than 30 minutes. We thanked the Pasay LGU and their volunteers and headed to the location of Team 2 at the clinic of the mother and daughter tandem of UCP Dr. Tanya Baliao and MIP Dr. Jovita Baliao.
*Teams 2 and 3 continued to work simultaneously*
It was already 10:45 AM, and the rains would still not stop, but we had another 200 bags to repack and prepare for Transmitter Area, Brgy. 184 Maricaban. As more volunteers came, JEPROCS also kept receiving donations, even outside of the Pasay Area. RC Tagaytay City sent PhP 5,000 to help in relief efforts, as well as additional donations from Pasay West, Pasay MIA, and Pasay EDSA.
At the same time, JEPROCS Team 3, composed of UCPs FG Alex Rodrigo (Pasay Metro Sunrise), Rynah Ventura (Pasay Southeast) and Maria Nimfa Diaz (Pasay West) were busy distributing support from the District at Brgys. 136 and 138. They were joined by SDG Malou Salazar (Pasay Southeast), DAD Franz Layugan (Pasay MOA), and other Rotarians from District 3810.
*Unite for Good*
If anything, the past two days was an embodiment of this year's battle cry, _"Unite for Good,"_ as Rotarians everywhere, fueled by their passion to serve, answered the call to action, went out of their comfort zones, and decided to make a difference.
*It feels good to be Rotarian - knowing you are in the company of like minded people who choose to be lead, choose to be present, and choose action over empty rhetoric.*
I am proud of the United Chosen Presidents, and inspired by the leadership of our District Governor.
*UCP Atty. Eric Emmanuel Pasion*
JEPROCS Chairman
Rotary Club of Pasay
29/12/2025
09/09/2025
02/08/2025