Military personnel from the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division (2ID) proved that no gesture is too small in helping others as long as it is sincere and from the heart.
In the end, the soldiers were able to raise and donate more than P140,000 to the victims of tropical storm "Auring" in Caraga (Region 13).
The Tanay, Rizal-based soldiers deducted a portion of their daily meal allowance and were surprised that they actually collected a significant amount, said Major Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the 2ID.
Almerol recognized the selflessness of his troops even as he emphasized that it is the duty of every soldier to "live their life in the service of their countrymen not only in their areas of responsibility but in every part of the country."
The amount collected by the troops was turned over to the Bayugan Young Leaders Organization (BYLO), a youth for peace organization which facilitated the relief efforts of the 2ID in Caraga during the onslaught of typhoon "Vicky" in December 2020.
The fund drive was initiated by the Jungle Fighter Ladies' Club (JFLC), which is composed of the wives of the soldiers and female civilian employees of the 2ID.
Sisa Cabangbang, president of the JFLC, expressed admiration to the soldiers' willingness to extend help to those affected by the typhoon.
"Your symphathies will surely be felt by our brothers and sisters in Caraga, and your act of kindness, no matter how small you think it may be, will go through a long way in helping them get through this calamity," Cabangbang said.
Typhoon Auring left one person dead, two injured, and four others missing when it hit the country more than a week ago.
It affected 64,056 families or 232,899 individuals --mostly in Caraga-- and destroyed 1,330 houses before it dissipated on February 23.
A total of P79.3 million worth of damage was incurred in the agriculture sector while damage to infrastructure was pegged at P23.6 million.