October 31, 2021 — A team composed of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod (UNP) Director Dr. Eric Talens, UNP Systems Director Dr. Marie Therese Bustos, UP-PGH Dept of Emergency (DEM) Medicine Chief Dr. April Llaneta, DEM Resident Dr. Simonette Geston, DEM staff Jeffrey Violago, and Pahinungod Staff Dr. Lunalinda Luz turned over medical supplies and family packs to victims of tropical storm Maring in Buguias, Benguet.

The relief operations and medical assistance were conducted on October 22 following an assessment made through Benguet Mayor Ruben Tinda, Vice Mayor Dione Baucas, and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Hilda Kimakim.

The Office of the UPM Chancellor provided funding for the relief operations while Philippine Australian Medical Association, Inc. (PAMA) and Sama-Sama TulungTulong UP gave contributions as well. A call for donations was made and the student organization Phi Lambda Delta Society responded and donated 100 pails and dippers.

UP Manila’s partnership with Buguias started in 2018 when students of the UNP Summer Immersion Service Program were deployed in the area; and continued in 2019 when students learned the conditions and realities in the community during their month-long stay. In 2020, the UNP Health Missions Program conducted a surgical mission in the municipality that led to a stronger partnership between Pahinungod and the municipality.

Saint Paul’s University Manila (SPUM), through its president Sr. Evangeline Anastacio, provided an area in the campus as repository and packing area for the relief goods; while SPUM staff and students helped in the packaging of the goods.

Lunalinda Luz (UNP-Manila)

Published in UP Manila Healthscape Issue No. 32, 31 October 2021