UP Visayas (UPV) put smileS on the faces of calamity-affected families IN the coastal barangays of Miagao, Iloilo during the launch of “PasKOOPerasyon,” a collaborative Christmas gift-giving program, held last December 17, 2022 at the new administration building ground, UPV Miagao campus.
PasKOOPerasyon, envisioned to become an annual yearend activity, is a collaborative undertaking of the UPV Employees Cooperative (UPVEC) in partnership with the UPV Ugnayan ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps (UPV UP/OC) and College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) Public Service Program (CPSP) together with CFOS student organizations, namely the UP Fisheries Guild, UP Ichthyophilic Society, CFOS Student Council, and UPV Graduate Students in Fisheries Association (UPV GRASFA).
The project aims to render assistance and services to coastal communities as well as to other stakeholders of the University.
Chancellor Clement C. Camposano graced the launching activity and addressed the beneficiaries.
In his message, Dr. Camposano underscored the importance of cooperation and compassion to achieve a common goal, especially in times of disasters. He also emphasized that UPV will be there for the people of Miagao.
Prof. Emiliza C. Lozada, chair of the Board of Directors of UPVEC, said that PasKOOPerasyon is the cooperative’s commitment to the welfare of the community under the spirit of pahinungod, a Cebuano term for oblation or the giving of oneself for the service of the nation.
As initial beneficiaries of the program, the cooperating institutions decided to help families that were greatly affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Paeng in October 2022.
With the assistance of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) of Miagao, a total of 148 affected fisherfolk households were identified to receive a grocery bag consisting of rice, canned goods, biscuits, noodles, cooking oil, coffee, sugar, and spaghetti pack.
The beneficiaries, accompanied by one of their family members, enjoyed meals and participated in various games together with the UPV constituents. They also received various items during the raffle draws like additional grocery bags, household items, appliances, and fishing rods.
Among the beneficiaries, 17 were identified as most severely affected fisherfolk households and they also received fishing gears like hooks and nettings, as well as boat repair materials such as plywood, paint, and marine epoxy to help them recover from the aftermath of Paeng.
The materials were purchased from the proceeds of the donation drive conducted by the CPSP. Boxes of donated clothes collected by UPV UP/OC, UPFG, and CFOS-SC were also given to them based on their family profile. The same fisherfolks will also be invited to attend a training on aquaponics to be conducted by the Institute of Aquaculture, CFOS.
The beneficiaries were pleased with what they received. According to them, UPV made their Christmas celebration a truly happy one.
The CPSP, headed by Prof. Jerry Ian Leonida, was the lead organizer of the event. (Ms. Lenilyn B. Gallos, CFOS)
