A JOURNEY WITH A CAUSE | DINAGAT ISLAND and SIARGAO, SURIGAO, PHILP...

Few months after Typhoon Odette brought torrential rains, landslides, violent winds, and storm surges in the province of Surigao most specifically Dinagat Island and Siargao, two of the Islands of Surigao that were greatly affected by the powerful and catastrophic tropical cyclone that struck several Islands in the Philippines, our school specifically the College of Law were able to send relief items, thanks to all who worked for it to be realized.

It was a few days after Dinagat and Siargao were greatly affected by the Odette, our Dean was planning to organize Bangon Siargao and Dinagat Relief Operations.

The funds used was actually part of the fundraising campaign held last December by a number of students of Liceo de Cagayan and I was one of the team leaders who managed a group of Law student for the whole month of December to raise funds intended supposedly for the PDL of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Region 10.

We were overwhelmed by the result of the campaign because we were able to raise a very good amount more than enough for the BJMP.

With that and as the need, the immediate need arises, our Dean planned for the relief operations for Surigao that was about a few days after the typhoon but it wasn’t pushed through due to the pandemic. It was not really safe for the students and the team to go there to assist in the distribution of the relief goods.

So it was only a few days ago when everything was set and everyone is ready for the mission. I was interested to go to Surigao but I was also handling other things here in Cagayan de Oro being the Director of the Clinical Legal Education Program so I just participated during the take-off.

On the day of their journey, we had a small program graced by one of the officials of the school, our supervising lawyer, and the students. The journey was also supported by the PNP personnel which is why you will see them in the photos.

They will be helping the students and ensuring that everyone will be safe all throughout the journey.

There were prayers offered for the team for their safety. It was a great opportunity to be able to serve the people of Dinagat and Siargao Island. They will also be exposed to the damage caused by Odette and will witness how the people there are doing after the typhoon.

But aside from that, the students will also get the opportunity to see with their own eyes the beauty of the two stunning islands of Surigao. So I am sharing here a few of the photos they had showing the exquisiteness of the islands, the reason why a lot of foreigners flock to the island almost every day before the pandemic.

Some of them even established their own house in the area and were also shattered by the typhoon.

Please check the videos below to see how beautiful the two islands are which are slowly recovering from the offensive effects of the typhoon. The video will also teach you how to get there and what you can do while in the island.