BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: B.A.C.K.-U.P. Relief Efforts Reach Oslob and San Fernando, Cebu
- Kit Coronel
- Jan 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 7
04 Jan. 2026. Cebu City, Philippines — Heavy rains from a shear line blanketed Cebu overnight, but the weather did not deter volunteers from Blasert Advocacies in Collaboration with the Knights of Rizal – District 30 Chapter NY, the Uniffied – New Jersey Chapter, and Partners (B.A.C.K.-U.P.). At dawn, the team departed Cebu City to deliver much‑needed relief to the southern towns of Oslob and San Fernando.
Oslob: First Stop at Barangay Gawi
By 9:30 a.m., the group arrived at Purok 1 – Malunggay, Barangay Gawi, Oslob, where the rain had eased to a drizzle. The original plan to conduct a Drug Abuse Prevention Education lecture was cancelled due to the weather, allowing volunteers to focus on distributing relief goods and children’s joy packages.
Residents welcomed the unexpected assistance with gratitude. Supplies of the children’s packages, however, ran short, leaving some youngsters disappointed. Organizers quickly gathered names and assured families that the missing packages would be sent later.
Following the distribution, Blasert Force 568 Inc. met with local leaders to plan a tree‑planting activity scheduled for early February, reinforcing the group’s commitment to long‑term community development.
San Fernando: Sitio Upper Tabo‑an
At 1:30 p.m., the team left Oslob and traveled north to San Fernando. By 4:00 p.m., relief operations resumed at Sitio Upper Tabo‑an, Barangay San Isidro, where both food packs and children’s joy packages were distributed. Thereafter, a plan was hatched to do a Drug Abuse Prevention Education Lecture the soonest possible.
Local leaders expressed appreciation for the effort:
Sitio Leader Bonifacio J. Malinao, Jr.: “Our families here rarely receive direct outreach, so today’s effort means a lot. The children’s joy packages brought smiles we haven’t seen in weeks.”
Local Chapter Commander Edito Marinduque: “The relief goods arrived just in time. Many households were struggling after the rains disrupted fishing and small trade. We are thankful for the volunteers’ persistence despite the weather.”
Purok Leader Ramonito Llena: “The kids were excited, even those who had to wait for promised packages. It shows them they are remembered, and that matters most.”
By 5:30 p.m., the team concluded activities in San Fernando and began the return trip to Cebu City. Heavy traffic delayed their arrival until 8:00 p.m., but the volunteers remained uplifted by the day’s accomplishments.
A Day of Service
The initiative was made possible through the support of key partners: Sir Flo Coronel, KCR, Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal – District 30 Chapter NY and Dr. Catalina Suerte, Chapter President of Uniffied – New Jersey Chapter.
Exhausted yet fulfilled, the B.A.C.K.-U.P. volunteers embodied the spirit of service — proving that even amid challenges, relief can reach communities in need.
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