A composite team of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) of Davao City and Adventist Medical Center College of Iligan City visited Caraga, Davao Oriental, and distributed financial assistance to 198 Adventist families affected by the destructive magnitude 7.6 and 6.8 earthquakes on October 10.
Donation drives were organized, with drop-off points for food, clothing, and hygiene kits, while rapid distribution of family food packs and emergency shelter kits was carried out. Evacuation centers were set up for displaced families, health workers provided first aid and trauma care, monitored water sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks, and engineers and disaster officials inspected schools, bridges, and public buildings for structural safety.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) also participated in the operations, but the emergency assistance and rehabilitation efforts were focused on Manay, Davao Oriental—the epicenter of the calamity—and its neighboring towns of Bagangga, Boston, and Caraga. Despite efforts to provide every victim with needed assistance, the Adventist community in Caraga was overlooked in their situation, where four churches and several houses were damaged.
SePUM workers and officers decided to forego their year-end culmination program to provide cash assistance to 198 brethren at the churches of Cabaasan, San Luis, Diawatan, Tubilan, Bandolinao, Papag, Panganudan, and Lukatan, under the leadership of Pr. Constancio Parcon and Elder Council President, Cabaasan Kagawad German Sayman.
Pr. Danielo Palomares, SePUM President; Pr. Edwin Magdadaro, Executive Secretary; Pr. Raul Emnace, SS/PM/ASI/APM Director; Pr. Danny Inato, Publishing Director; Pr. Demetrio Taotao, Jr., 1000MM Associate Director; Dr. Perlyn Panes, Education Director; Pr. Danny Inato, Publishing Director; Ma’am Lindy Lou Magdadaro, Women and Family Director; Mrs. Meldy Cole, Assistant Treasurer; Mrs. Ivan Mae Flores, SePUM Media Production Head; and several staff led the well-organized distribution activity, which was held at Cabaasan Adventist Church, partly damaged by the quake. The activity was graced by their Punong Barangay, Hon. Engr. Lenilyn Magsay Pua, C.E., who shared beautiful insights during her talk: “This is the first time to be with you, but I feel the unity and compassion among you in this activity. I hope that our local government can provide support whenever you need us.”
Learning about the activity, Adventist Medical Center College (AMCC), through their President, Dr. Bobby M. Asis, EdD, also offered additional financial assistance. A team from the institution traversed almost 500 kilometers for nearly 12 hours to visit Caraga and share their blessings. The team was composed of Sir Eduardo D. Torniado, VP for Operations; Sir Serwin Torniado, VP for Finance; Dr. Roger Lopez, VP Student Affairs; Ma’am Ruby Socorro Recopelacion, Community Extension Director; Ma’am Ann Lopez, Registrar’s Clerk; Mrs. Genevieve Tonog, Faculty; Mr. Angelito Morala, Motorpool Supervisor; Mr. Bonnin Saludo, Driver; and students, Karl Ronan Tan Lopez and Keziah Tan Lopez, who offered beautiful songs during the devotional, along with Mr. Sam Anthony Bago, SePUM Media Technical Head.
Bro. Gideon Magdagusan, Church Deacon of Lukatan Adventist Church—a 24-kilometer journey into the mountains passing the broken Lamyanan Bridge—said: “I never expected this day to happen when our church leaders physically mingled with us here and made us feel the love and comforting presence after the earthquake, which left feelings of mixed fear, shock, and disorientation. Today, your presence more than the PhP1500 gives us relief and gratitude that God indeed answers prayer, and He sent loving people even from far Iligan and Davao to nurture us and give hope.”
Four of the eight churches in the district received financial assistance for the renovation of their buildings affected by the quakes with the supervision of . Elder Palomares reminded everyone that it is not God but the enemy who causes the troubles we face. In Revelation 12:12, God through John the Revelator warned: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Mrs. Ellen G. White, in her book The Great Controversy (589.3), wrote: “Satan will bring disease and disaster, until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power.”
Like the storm at sea while Jesus was sleeping in a rough-tossed boat, “the nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear of the things that are coming upon the earth. But those who believe in God will hear His voice amid the storm, saying, ‘It is I; be not afraid.’” (The Signs of the Times, October 9, 1901)
