Thomasian CEDO creates network of donors and beneficiaries through Abag Recoleto Operations

San Carlos City, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL—Colegio de Santo Tomas-Recoletos’ Community Extension and Development Office (CST-R CEDO) bridged hundreds of donors and beneficiaries through the “Abag Recoleto” Calamity Relief Operations this January 2021.

After barangays in San Carlos City were flooded, CEDO reached at least 300 households in Barangays I, V and Rizal. Donations were from hundreds of donors including Thomasian parents and guardians, students, alumni, the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity-San Carlos Chapter, private benefactors and the Thomasian faculty and staff.

CEDO with Thomasian staff and CST-R Team Event alumni reached out to 150 flood victims in Barangay I last January 22, 2021. The distribution of relief bags was in the barangay covered court. Meanwhile, 80 flood victims in Barangay V were given relief goods at the Barangay Hall with the help of Punong Barangay Ruth Aba on January 25, 2021.

With the support of the local ARCORES (Augustinian Recollect Solidarity Network) Director Fray Vicente Ramon, Jr., OAR, CEDO collected, packed and distributed noodles, canned goods, biscuits, coffee and milk powder, and toiletries. The goods were for residents in San Carlos City who were all struck by the sudden rising of water after hours of heavy rain on the evening of January 18, 2021.

The San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Barangay I Punong Barangay Toto Lopez and his council also gave CEDO safety and security support.

CEDO is the community outreach office of CST-R which was established only in 2020. Among its programs are “Abag Recoleto”—calamity response operation—and “Giving of Ultimate Gifts, Memories, and Assistance (G.U.G.M.A.) which aims to adopt and help develop a remote public school within San Carlos City. Fray Monday Benjamine Edobor, OAR is the current CEDO Director.