HELP FOR THE FARMERS Fr Primitivo Viray Jr., provincial of the Philippine Jesuits, joins Tanging Yaman Foundation volunteers in relief operations. Since the start of the pandemic, the Ateneo covered courts have been used instead as the repacking station of the Tanging Yaman Foundation, which has continuously assisted those in need due to lockdowns, typhoons and other calamaties. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
When a calamity strikes outside Metro Manila, oftentimes those unaffected remain unbothered. But the damage of Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” was so intense, it is impossible to ignore.
Fatalities have already reached reached 39, according to latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Another 17 are still missing from landslides and flooding.
And for those who survived, the question is how to deal with the damage caused by Maring. The NDRRMC has estimated the damage to the agricultural sector at more than P2 billion.
The Department of Agriculture has already announced a P172-million fund for the restoration of affected areas. Let’s hope these get to the intended beneficiaries. An emergency loan was likewise announced, capped at P20,000 each with zero interest, no collateral and payable in 10 years.
Let’s help
Victims are relying on bayanihan spirit once again. The private group Cordillera Landing On You (CLOY), which was created to support farmers during the pandemic by bringing their produce to Metro Manila consumers, has taken the initiative of bringing relief goods from the National Capital Region to Benguet. Goods will be turned over to the local Red Cross. Cash donations will be used to purchase rice for the affected. For those who would like to donate, please message 0917-8610724.
Today, members of the Eagles fraternity will also bring to La Trinidad, Benguet, 1,000 bags of relief goods from the Tanging Yaman Foundation. This will be delivered to the mayor’s office for distribution by the local government. This will be the second delivery by the foundation, which had earlier sent over 2,000 relief packs to Ilocos Sur.
#SupportOurFarmers
The Tanging Yaman Foundation has consistently assisted farmers all throughout the pandemic. It launched the #SupportOurFarmers initiative in June 2020, partnering with farmers affected by the regional lockdowns and acting as conduit between producers and buyers by buying truckloads of fresh vegetables and fruits from Northern and Central Luzon to save farmers’ unsold produce from spoilage.
The produce are brought to the Loyola Schools Covered Courts, where volunteers pack sacks of sayote, patola, tomato, cabbage, squash, etc. which are then distributed to the most affected by the lockdowns.
This is one of the largest private initiatives, thanks to the accountability of the foundation that has earned the trust of donors throughout the decades.
For COVID-19 relief efforts alone, it has collected over P120 million, reaching over 160,000 families in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Over P20 million was also used to assist over 70,000 families that have survived Typhoons “Rolly” and “Ulysses.”
“Many people of goodwill are just looking for ways to help but do not know where to channel their resources,” says Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, founder of the Tanging Yaman Foundation. “So we are simply a conduit between benefactors from anywhere in the world and beneficiaries in the Philippines in need of funding or assistance.”
Disaster relief
It was a supertyphoon that gave birth to Tanging Yaman as a conduit organization. The foundation was originally known for its annual concerts in the late 1990s but stopped in 2000 when Francisco went to the United States for his graduate studies in theology.
In 2005, when Tropical Storm “Ondoy” hit the Philippines, he asked friends to send assistance to stricken areas, aiming to raise around $2,000. He raised more: $14,000.
He realized that he did not have to stage a concert to raise funds to help those in need.
“What mattered more was that people believed in the cause and that the conduit is credible,” he says. “That is why, we make sure that we are transparent and accountable to our donors.”
Today, aside from a scholarship program, they are also quick to respond in times of calamities and have been continuously assisting farmers and lockdown-affected families. Through the donations (donors can pledge to contribute monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually), they are able to purchase an average of 20 tons a week of vegetables.
And thanks to the vast network of the Catholic Church, they are able to identify which communities are most in need. Francisco is in touch with the Commission on Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which has a social action director per diocese who can identify the communities most affected.
The military has also been very helpful in the distribution efforts. Francisco recalls that it was through their network that the foundation was able to help Muslim communities in Quiapo.
Satisfaction
“What has moved me very often is that the hungry are the ones who teach us to feed the hungry,” Francisco says. He remembers when they distributed 500 packs to displaced jeepney drivers, but the latter asked to lessen the contents so that 500 more could be distributed.
“A little for many becomes much,” he says.
This reminds me of the parable of the widow’s offering. The woman gave all she had left, two small copper coins, essentially giving more than the rich.
That widow is all of you, generous donors.
To support the efforts of the Tanging Yaman Foundation for those affected by Maring, visit tangingyaman.org for info on how to donate or message 0947 -5659544.