Monsoon rains, locally known as “Habagat,” were exacerbated by Super Typhoon Carina, bringing relentless rain over Luzon and nearby towns throughout the morning of Wednesday, 24 July. This deluge left nearly the entire region flooded, resulting in a two-day halt of work and school activities and compelling five provinces to declare a state of calamity. The very next day, 25 July, the RC Makati disaster relief team, led by President Keith Harrison and Director Boy Arteche, sprang into action. The team concentrated their efforts on the Taytay area, partnering with Angat Taytay. Their first stop was Sitio Ramona, where 64 families were sheltered in an evacuation center. Next, they visited Hapay na Manga, providing relief to 51 families.
The third site was Brgy. San Juan, serving 28 families, and finally, they reached Brgy. Sta Ana, where 5 families remained as their homes were still inundated. Each family received mats, blankets, and slippers from RC Makati, while Angat Taytay supplied food packs. Additionally, RC Makati handed over 100 sets of mats and blankets to Angat Taytay for distribution to three more sites the same day. On the second day of relief efforts, the RC Makati Disaster Relief Team hit the road again. This time, they ventured further out of Metro Manila, with Director Chris Ferareza, chair of the disaster relief committee, joining the distribution efforts.
In coordination with RC Bulacan True North E-Club through CP Senen Pineda, the team navigated the still-flooded roads to Malolos, Bulacan. Their first and second stops were at San Sebastian Chapel and the multipurpose center of Brgy. Catmon, providing relief to 12 and 38 families, respectively. They then traveled a few more kilometers to Paombong, Bulacan. After a challenging drive through 800 meters of road submerged under three feet of floodwater, the team provided relief to 32 families in the first barangay. They continued through a narrow, partially flooded and rough concrete path to reach their fourth and final stop, Brgy. Pinalagdaan, Paombong, where they aided 90 families. All recipients received mats and blankets, as many were sleeping on cartons. The elderly, in particular, expressed deep gratitude for the Club's efforts. In addition to mats and blankets, the team provided food packs to 39 families in dire need and to 11 senior citizens and PWDs.
On 27 July, President Keith, Director Chris, and Rotarian CB Rivilla traveled to San Mateo, Rizal, for another relief mission. This initiative was conducted in partnership with Ronalyn Lagata, a top ten nominee for the Paing Hechanova Leadership Awards from Payatas. After brief messages from RC Makati, the team distributed 300 food packs to families in need. Each food pack contained rice, canned goods, and noodles. Additionally, senior citizens received mats and blankets. The Club also supported the District 3830 efforts by donating P25,000 for their relief missions conducted in Muntinlupa and Bulacan.
The Club would like to thank PP Roland and Sam Young for their P50,000 each donation to the disaster relief fund. Special thanks as well to Ann Queenie Mills for connecting us to Medtechs Materials Technology Corporation, which donated some blankets and hospital items for distribution to affected families. During the three-day relief mission, RC Makati reached 694 families and distributed approximately P250,000 worth of relief goods. RC Makati has becoming known for being first responders, especially in disaster relief, making sure that they are ready to respond to the needy when they need it most.
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