By Shayne Elizabeth Flores

Far Eastern University (FEU) student-led organizations launched donation drives to provide relief for those affected by the rapid rainfall and flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina.

FEU Junior Marketing Association (JMA) accepts cash donations in coordination with the youth-led initiative The Recovery Project, which helps communities in need.

Institute of Internal Auditors Student Chapter (IIASC) - FEU and Project ALAB, in partnership with The Entrepreneurship Club - FEU and other groups, also raise funds for evacuees staying at H. Bautista Elementary School in Marikina City and families displaced in Tondo, Manila, respectively.

As of July 24, IIASC has collected a total of P1,714.60 cash.

Meanwhile, FEU Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) from FEU Makati collect both monetary and in-kind goods, which will be distributed to FEU Makati non-teaching staff next week.

Volunteer offroaders from San Mateo, Rizal will also pick the donations up for their residents. They are also currently coordinating with Angat Buhay NGO Malabon for possible aid in the area.

The bureau has received a monetary donation of P31,935 as of 7:08 p.m. tonight.

Rotaract Club (RAC) of FEU Roosevelt Cainta also gathers cash and other tangible donations for Marikeños, while Kabataan Partylist FEU is seeking volunteers and charitable goods for affected residents in the National Capital Region.

According to updates dated July 25, RAC has accumulated P2,023 cash and repacked 300 hygiene kits.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, FEU JMA Vice President for Marketing Angela Macatao stated that the alarming conditions raised by victims pushed them to take action.

“It would only be just on our part—not just the organization but also to those that have the means to do so—to collectively pitch in with this effort bound to help those that are affected,” she said.

FEU LAB, on the other hand, seeks to go beyond their duty to the law by assisting affected communities proactively. 

“We want to be proactive leaders and servants of law in the community; thus, our service does not end in providing legal aid. We aim, as law students, to be leaders who positively impact our communities,” FEU LAB Deputy Commissioner for Communications Jenina Absulio said.

Moreover, FEU JMA expressed their call for coherent institutional policies and community-centered initiatives to revamp the country's disaster and risk management.

Project ALAB also underlined the need for holistic climate justice by holding the government and corporations accountable to alleviate the climate crisis.

“We have experienced numerous natural disasters that are being worsened by poor planning, state neglect, and corporate greed. As citizens of this nation, we call on the government for a genuine and comprehensive climate action by making our communities disaster resilient and holding accountable the various companies and corporations responsible for damaging the environment,” the 2023-2024 executive board stressed. 

IIASC also noted that Filipinos should move past the ‘resiliency narrative’ and rather demand accountability from the government.

Furthermore, the University launched its donation initiative through the Alumni Relations Office and Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation & Roosevelt’s collaboration.

Through FEU’s Brigada Eskwela project, the contributions will be used to rehabilitate communities and public schools in Rizal and Metro Manila to ensure a safe reopening of classes.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration announced that Carina left the Philippine Area of Responsibility yesterday, July 25, but will continue to bring moderate to heavy rains in parts of Luzon until the weekend.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that at least 1,115,272 persons were affected including 21 dead, 15 injured, and five missing as per the Philippine National Police.

- With Reports from Mark Vincent A. Durano
(Photos courtesy of FEU LAB, Project ALAB, RAC of FEU Roosevelt Cainta, FEU JMA, Kabataan Partylist - FEU, IIASC - FEU Facebook pages; Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid)