By Mariela Angella Oladive
In the wake of typhoon Goring, the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) and Panay-Guimaras Council of Lions Clubs, Inc. (PGCLC) under Lions Clubs International District 301-B1, distributed a total of 150 packs of relief goods at Brgy. Poblacion South, Oton, Iloilo on September 2, 2023.
Provincial Board Member Domingo Oso Jr. led the Lions team as president of the PGCLC.
Lions Clubs members and officials from different regions came together to conduct the relief operation. Among the attendees were Past District Governor Anthony Eden Tan, PDG Felipe Lim, PDG Alfonso Boy Deocampo, and Past Council Chairman Pons Yuson.
Each pack contained essentials such as rice, canned goods, and noodles worth PHP200.00.
Instead of relying solely on external donations, the PGCLC launched a fundraising campaign by encouraging members to support the relief effort.
Lions from Regions 4, 5, and 6 participated in the campaign by pledging funds towards the cause.
“During Typhoon Goring, in our [messenger] group chat, I campaigned for a relief operation through pledges and donations. The club was able to raise around PHP 53,500.00, of which PHP 29,000 came from my club, the Iloilo Metro Lions Club. A portion of this money funded the relief operation in Oton today. This relief operation is one of the activities of the Lions Club International as part of its global causes in helping the marginalized sector, particularly disaster relief,” Atty. Oso told Daily Guardian.
Furthermore, the clubs received significant support from its international organization.
“LCIF actually released $ 10,000, and a portion of it is given to Iloilo in Panay. So, with that, we are conducting relief operations in different parts of the city, but aside from that, our club also raised funds to augment this fund released by LCIF.”
One hundred packs of relief goods were purchased out of Panay-Guimaras’ accumulated funds while 50 additional packs came from LCIF.
One of the beneficiaries, Jay-R of Brgy. Poblacion South, shared his experience during typhoon Goring and expressed his gratitude for the relief goods.
“Pagbagyo grabe ang tubig, that time sang [August] 27 nagflashback ang paminsaron ko [recalling the memories of devastating typhoon he experienced when he was a child]. Nakulbaan ko basi maguba naman ang dalan bala haw, pero kay subong semento na. Wala man naguba ang dalan kag amon balay, naapektohan lang kami kay wala kuryente tapos waay kami kapangita kang karan-on sa amo to nga adlaw. Gutom kami kay waay respond ang LGU kag Baranggay. So amo na gapasalamat kami kay bisan gamay may nakalab-ot sa amon nga bulig,” Jay R said.
Arlene, 54 years old, echoed Jay R expressing her gratitude, “Dako gid nga bulig ini [relief goods] sa amon kay waay man kami it nabaton diri sa amon, amo pa lang ini.”
The relief operation was a heartwarming experience for both the beneficiaries and the Lions, emphasizing the importance of community support and solidarity during times of crisis.
The Lions’ relief effort serves as an example of local organizations making a significant impact in times of need. Their dedication to serving their community, especially in the face of a natural disaster, demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of individuals coming together to help those affected by calamities.
