NWU Gives to Itbayat

Northwestern University relaunches its Timpuyog Program, this time to help in the ongoing efforts to provide for the needs of the families in Itbayat, Batanes who are still suffering from the devastating effects of the earthquakes that struck the place.

On July 27, 2019, a magnitude 5.9 jolted Itbayat, Batanes. The earthquake left houses destroyed that were generally made of stones found in the island. According to the local civil defense office, the earthquake affected 1,025 families, 8 recorded  deaths and more than 60 injured, and 207 damaged houses. The amount of P128,880.00 worth of assistance was provided by the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) to affected families.

This year’s Timpuyog Program is actively supported by NWU students and employees. The program gathered instant noodles, coffee, chocolates, biscuits, canned goods, sanitary napkins, rice, toiletries, ready to wear clothing, shoes, and stuff toys. The donations are properly segregated and packed by volunteer students and employees of NWU, and are handed over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through the 152nd Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit.

Timpuyog is NWU’s advocacy of extending assistance to victims of calamities or disasters. The advocacy started after the onslaught of Ondoy in September 2009 as a way of giving assistance to the victims of the flooding in Metro Manila. Timpuyog was also initiated after the devastating typhoon Yolanda that hit Visayas in November 2013.