Chefs cook for Ucab rescuers

A GROUP of volunteers determined to feed the flock of rescuers has set up shop at the Ucab level 070.

The Artrelief Mobile Kitchen (ARMK) headed by Alex Baluyot feeds at least 1,000 rescuers daily with a team of volunteers cooking up a tasty meal delivered on site to give relief for those still searching for survivors.

Baluyot and his team is in their 37th mission since its 2013 upstart during Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban.

Baluyot, a photojournalist, said the idea to start the mobile kitchen was hatched during one of his coverages as he saw rescue teams without decent food.

A team of friends make up ARMK which has now become an organization ready to respond to crisis armed with good food.

Itogon locals Victorina and Segundo Dulay, Jr. responded to open their homes to ARMK as it became their headquarters, offering food, water, clothes, coffee and snacks to passerby’s in bad need of rest and refreshment.

Tired folk traveling landslide-laden roads, volunteers, army and police, firefighters and locals can take a stop at their garage.

Baluyot said protocol varies for each area as well as the food menu which adjusts to the local cuisine.

For the Ompong victims, Ucab mission local chefs Ida Arreza and Rex Chiu man the kitchen serving chicken tinola, yang chow fried rice and local vegetables.

Chef Ida and Rex both work as professionals in the food industry and has taken time to lend a hand for the Ucab rescue team.

A meal for 1,000 people costs at least P35,000 to produce and ARMK relies on donors to keep the kitchen going.

Baluyot assures there is enough supply of cash and goods to tide over meals for four days.

“We usually stay a minimum of three days in an area, it depends on the volume of donations we have,” Baluyot said.

There are now over 900 volunteers at the search and rescue site in Itogon coming in daily with the hope not dimming to find survivors.

At least 59 are still missing under the rubble of two bunkhouses and a makeshift church.

Baluyot said they plan to stay until the rescue mission ends. (Maria Elena Catajan)