HAPI CALL-TO-ACTION on COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Written by FilipinasDelValle
March 26, 2020
Manila, Philippines
Being crisis and disaster manager, I have networks of acquaintances and friends that I get to call and can call on me if and when we need each other. The global pandemic have affected us as well. The Philippines have announced a border lock down on March 17, 2020 Luzon wide. To say that our local government unit or barangay is not ready for the challenge is an understatement.
Many from us, disaster teachers and practitioners have devised plans on how best to use our best practices on the unit we are members with. The pandemic threat was there from the moment the first case of COVID19 outside China have been shared in social media and the news. But still our national government made the best effort to try to control the pandemic in our country.
The reservist all over the world are called on for duty, in the case of the Philippines they are the first to be deployed. I came from a long line of soldiers and training with some made their issues personal.
The COVID19 threat is imminent as it is kind of a combatant that can kill you silently without giving you a warning that it has already attacked and wounded you.
Knowing then that our front liners are facing additional burden such as lack of PPE’s (Personal Protective Gear), scarcity of food and other necessities tug at my soul the most. Can you even imagine serving your country and the citizenry without the protection that you need? I can’t! It is an injustice!
Spearheading the call to action is just an ordinary action on my part, but asking others to help me and the rest of the front liners takes a special breed of individuals. It is empowering me to help those that can no longer take it upon themselves to beg for help.
Having a humanist family is a big help in this crisis. You get to pool resources from individual with similar mindset. Implementing and enforcing the plan is the fruition of being a humanist.
I give credit to the individuals who have made it possible to extend help so that I can rest and sleep knowing that my AFPRESCOM family and those from Maria Juana circle of family friends is at least taken care of for a number of days.
Maria Juana just asked me to help placing into action what she needs, to support her in getting donations for the Male Surgery Ward, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, the outpouring of support from the HAPI Community is overwhelming. They deserve our gratitude. That is Day 1 of the implementation.
Day 2 was a race of decision and action, I was late to be informed that the AFPRESCOM lacks basic necessities to get by and no more time for the troops to rally and get them. Rationing food is in effect already. And to top it all I was out of Central Luzon and have entered part of NCR already. Lockdown is enforced hence check point is everywhere. I had to assure the front liners that I am one of them. This limits now my capacity to act as fast as I do not have the network there to assist me in procuring the supplies specially rice and noodles. Supermarket and Wetmarket in Luzon limits 5kls and 5 canned goods per person already. I had to cajole the owner of a sari-sari store to allow me to buy food for the troops. I once again called for the HAPI Leadership Council to help raise the needed fund for this trip. They did not disappoint us.
This shows how people with similar mindset and belief rise above crisis. Crisis will always bring out the BEST and the worst of any person but it shall stand tall the FINEST of HUMANIST individuals. Hence, grateful for the approval of HAPI LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, Mike Sherman- the Chairman, Alain Presillas – the newly elected Executive Director, Dwengster Bulaclac- the effervescent and very strict Chief of Finance Officer, Kleng Agbayani – the best tiktoker auditor and our dearest HAPI Emeritus Chairman Marissa Torres Langseth for heeding my call in this crisis.
We do recognize the sacrifices of our front liners in this challenging time, so we offer our SALUTE and THANK YOU for your bravery in protecting us all. After all, crisis and disaster does not care who you are, what do you believe in and how much money you have in the bank. What we have to do is to be HUMAN first and as the saying goes WE ONLY LIVE ONCE.
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For more information, please message THE HAPI SECRETARIAT on how you may also be able to help:
Viber/WhatsApp: +63 929 248 2231
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