Reaching communities, rebuilding lives
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has long been in the path of storms that form in the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, Filipinos have continued to face the devastating aftermath of typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic unrest.
Time and again, communities across the country have been forced to rebuild what was lost. In these moments of crisis, Operation Damayan has continued to extend help to affected families and communities.
Led by PhilSTAR Media Group President and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte, Damayan head coordinator Emie Cruz, and a team of employee-volunteers from The STAR, Operation Damayan has brought relief and support to disaster-stricken communities through the years.
The mission
The program is grounded not just in the immediate rollout of aid, but in the long-term recovery of affected communities.
For Cruz, relief efforts must look beyond the basics. From on-the-ground assessments to implementation, Cruz has been hands-on in expanding Damayan's reach.
"Noong nag-landslide sa Leyte way back in the 1990s, ang dala namin doon hindi lang groceries, kundi pati na rin ang pang-repare ng bahay," Cruz says.
She recalls that the team traveled 36 hours from Metro Manila to provide materials for temporary housing and essential kitchen supplies to affected families.
That same commitment has guided Damayan's response to major disasters through the years.
In 2011, Typhoon Sendong left a devastating mark on Northern Mindanao. The STAR's Operation Damayan team provided grocery packs to 1,000 families in Cagayan de Oro and distributed school supplies to more than 1,000 students in Iligan City.
In 2013, The STAR reached the isolated town of Loon, Bohol, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Central Visayas. The team extended relief assistance to more than 3,000 households across the town's 21 barangays.
Beyond disaster response, Operation Damayan has also invested in education as part of long-term recovery.
The first Adopt-a-School project of Damayan was launched in July 2002 as part of The STAR's 16th anniversary celebration. Built in Barangay Banga-an in Banaue, Ifugao, the project provided not only classrooms but also books and learning materials through in-house donations.
Another milestone project was the development of San Miguel Elementary School in Tarlac during The STAR's 25th anniversary. The turnover included new school buildings, a library, and books for students and faculty.
Operation Damayan has likewise reached communities through large-scale medical missions.
During The STAR's 13th anniversary, the program served more than 11,000 patients in a one-day medical mission at Betty Go-Belmonte Elementary School in Quezon City with the help of more than a thousand volunteer doctors, nurses and medical personnel.
Aid that lasts
For Operation Damayan, rebuilding communities goes beyond providing relief after disaster strikes.
Through every food pack distributed, every classroom built and every family reached, the program reminds communities that they are not alone in recovery.
More than a humanitarian initiative, Operation Damayan is the product of decades of service, compassion and solidarity with communities across the country.
As The Philippine STAR marks its 40th anniversary, Operation Damayan remains a testament to its enduring commitment to stand with Filipinos, especially in their most difficult moments.
