A GROUP of car enthusiasts from Eastern Visayas successfully held a ride for a cause for the evacuees in Batangas province following the eruption of Taal Volcano.
"We're overwhelmed with the outcome of our Taal relief operations and I don't know where to start due to the sheer number of people that we should be thankful for," said Rhoel Ladera, an official of the Navara Nation Philippines (NNP)-Eastern Visayas chapter.
At least eight pick-up trucks and another vehicle loaded with food and non-food items were distributed by the automobile group to around 800 evacuees at San Antonio Elementary School in San Pascual town in Batangas over the weekend.
Ladera said their arrival in the area was very timely as food supplies were running out in the area.
"We initially planned to distribute the donations to three locations but we decided to give almost all to the school for they needed it badly," he said.
However, the rest of the clothing donations were turned over to the Navara Nation Philippines (NNP) local chapter in Batangas "so they can give it directly to other far-flung evacuation centers since it was already night time when we arrived."
"It was a 'Help and Run' operations for right after the distribution the group proceeded immediately went back to Tacloban City. Tired, lacking sleep but accomplished and motivated," Ladera added.
The group started its travel from Tacloban on January 24 and arrived in San Pascual town on January 25.
"Aside from the material help we provided directly to the Taal eruption victims, what's important was the message, effort and show of support from fellow Yolanda survivors and people from Eastern Visayas. They were not expecting that people from Eastern Visayas will travel that far and it means a lot to them," said Ladera, who also survived the November 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda through the help of various people and organizations.
Meanwhile, Ladera thanked Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin and other groups in the region for also leading a donation drive in the city which they delivered in Batangas.
NNP-Eastern Visayas chapter started their ride for a cause on August 21, 2018, where they donated school supplies to the indigenous tribes in Almeria, Biliran.
On November 19, 2018, they donated 254 rain boots to all students at Sulpa National High School in Villaba, Leyte.
They also provided medical and dental services to over 200 patients in Rosario, Northern Samar on April 6, 2019.
"We've done this many times before and we intend to do more of this in the future, of course with all of your support," said Ladera, as he expressed his gratitude to those who offered their assistance for their annual charity ride. (SunStar Philippines)