DMMMSU faculty, staff, and students started packing bags of goods to be delivered to 500 families affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano on February 6 through the Batangas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.  

DMMMSU, led by its President, Dr. Jaime Ipac Manuel, Jr. and through the initiatives of its Faculty Regent, Honorable Jo Ann P. Rulla, organized its charity project dubbed as “DMMMSU para sa Batangas” (DMMMSU for Batangas).  Rulla, with the approval of Manuel, called for cash donations from the faculty members, non-teaching personnel, and students from all levels.

Cash donations were also received from alumni and other benefactors; some from donors abroad.    

Each bag of relief goods contains the following: family size blanket, bath towel, hand towel, mat for 8 persons, biscuits, canned goods, noodles,  sachets of chocolate drink and coffee, hygiene kit (shampoo, toothpaste, bath soap), medicine kit, five kilos of rice, and 6.6 liters of bottled water.

Rulla herself, with Faculty Association Officers, Nonteaching Association Officers, SBO advisers, and students packed the goods.

When asked about how she feels about the project, Ms. Rima Querrer Baldemor, the President of the Nonteaching Association of the South La Union Campus where goods were being packed was teary-eyed in admitting “When I heard about the proposal of Regent Rulla, I thought it was suntok sa buwan (impossible). I knew the difficulty of calling for donations, much more of implementing the project. But look at what it has become. It gives me goosebumps.”

Inspired by how speedily the project went, Rulla quipped “Ambilis lang talaga (I couldn’t believe it was accomplished in no time). We started with the call for donations during a University meeting on January 23. After only ten days, look, we’re already packing the goods.”

Rulla also continued, “All the relief goods cost an estimated amount of 890 thousand pesos. Thanks to everyone who extended their help and support: the whole DMMMSU family and the administration, the faculty members, the nonteaching personnel, students, DMMMSU alumni, and other benefactors.”

Below is a list of donors from outside the University to whom DMMMSU extends its appreciation:

• Ms. Sarah V. Pruitt (Florida, USA)
• Mr. Joseph Arcala (New Mexico, USA)
• Mr. Octavio Abad (Florida, USA)
• Ms. Mary Carl Cabilitazan (Austin, Texas)
• Mr. Darvin DV Olarte (San Francisco, USA)
• Mr. Rommel T. Viduya (Indonesia)
• Ms. Jennylyn R. Ammen (Canada)
• Mr. Wilbert Catbagan (California, USA)
• Ms. Janielle Micah Areola (Abu Dhabi, KSA)
• Mr. Ermin Cervantes (Dagupan City)
• Mr. Ernie Llanilo (Dagupan City)
• Ms. Rossy Rossette R. Rulla (Baguio City)
• Engr. Mariano Milana (San Joaquin, Agoo, La Union)
• Mr. Lito Fortes (Agoo, La Union)
• Mr. Darwin Piscasio (Agoo, La Union)
• Mr. Joefry A. Lopez (Agoo, La Union)
• Mr. Jose R. Gaerlan, Jr. (Agoo, La Union)
• Mr. Leonard Carbonell (Agoo, La Union)
• Ms. Arsenia D. Dizon (Tubao, La Union)

Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, 2020 and resulted in evacuation of residents.  Although it has gone quiet and many residents have started going back to their homes, many displaced families are still in need of help. (ayu)