by Allianah Junnice Bolotaulo | February 24, 2023
Silliman University organizations held a donation drive for Barangay 8 fire victims last Jan. 11-20, 2023.
The Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Social Services Committee, together with Ang Sandigan, Renaissance Youth Leaders Forum (RYLF), and the Miss Silliman Committee worked together on the drive with a limited budget.
Kylle Christiann Saga, SUSG Social Services Committee chairperson, said that his first thoughts were to assess the situation and find out what they could do to support the affected families.
After a field assessment, the goods prioritized for the donation were kitchenware, canned food, rice, and clothes since the victims were unable to save most of their belongings.
Since they were not able to collect a “big amount” of in-kind and monetary donations, the committees and organizations failed to give an immediate response and had to extend the donation drive, lengthening the process to two weeks.
Franz Jullian Sevilla, RYLF vice-president shared that they were still able to amass a “good number of donations” from their own organizations.
He added, “We also donated things from our own homes. Although the amount we got was not that big, it was just enough for the victims.”
The goods were turned over to the Barangay 8 officials last Jan. 21, 2023, for distribution.
“We encouraged the students to play a vital role in their own development as well as in that of their communities, helping them to learn vital life skills and promote positive civic action in their own simple ways through donation drives,” Chloe Dakay, Ang Sandigan president, said.
Moreover, reigning Miss Silliman Angelica Faith Generoso also talked about the essence of being aware of societal events and difficulties.
“Doing so allows us to self-evaluate how we might help those who are in need and how we can use our lives to become a blessing to them,” she said.
“The victims always have a different narrative, so it’s really important to connect with them first,” Saga said.
He explained that they have “brilliant ideas and suggestions” that can guide student groups in supporting the victims.
Dakay expressed her gratitude to those who donated and helped disseminate information about the donation drive.
“Together, let’s continue to have the willingness to serve the community in our future community-centered endeavors, padayon!” she said.
