The Sea Ambulance proposed by SECOFICO was officially launched in Barangay N. Sering, Socorro, and marks a significant step in improving emergency healthcare access for the island community.
On the picturesque island of Bucas Grande, nestled in Surigao del Norte, the seaside community of Barangay N. Sering in the municipality of Socorro exudes a quiet charm. Its vibrant natural landscapes—lush green hills, turquoise waters, and thriving mangroves—are a source of both sustenance and solace for its people. But for all its beauty, Socorro has faced its share of trials.
Life in this fourth-class municipality, home to over 25,000 residents across 14 barangays, revolves around the seas and its gifts. Yet, the isolation of island living comes with challenges, particularly in moments of crisis. In December 2021, Typhoon Odette (Rai) struck with ferocity, leaving Socorro devastated. Homes were destroyed, livelihoods shattered, and essential services crippled. For a community with limited resources, the typhoon was one of the worst calamities in living memory.
It was in this time of great need that the Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits Inc. (ECOWEB) first arrived in Socorro, bringing aid through its Survivor and Community-Led Crisis Response (SCLR) approach. Unlike traditional disaster response models that prioritize external intervention, SCLR empowers communities to identify and implement their own solutions. ECOWEB’s aid to Socorro began with immediate relief but grew into a partnership grounded in rebuilding resilience and fostering self-reliance.
Relyn S. Aporbo and Judy-Ann P. Arcular, members of SECOFICO, wait for customers and tidy up their mini hardware store. SECOFICO used their microgrants to establish a mini hardware store that will support its members and the community. They used their third-cycle grant to address their emergency healthcare needs in the form of a sea ambulance.
A Lifeline Forged from Resilience
On November 20, 2024, Socorro reached a new milestone in its recovery and growth with the launch of a sea ambulance at the N. Sering Barangay Hall. This vessel, funded through ECOWEB’s third-cycle microgrant to the Sering Community Fishermen Cooperative (SECOFICO), marked a significant leap in maritime healthcare for the island.
SECOFICO’s journey began in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette in December 2021. Struggling to rebuild, the group’s initial 16 members received emergency cash aid amounting to ₱35,300 (₱2,000 per member) through ECOWEB’s SCLR approach. True to the local spirit of Hinabangay (mutual help or helping each other), they pooled their resources and decided to establish a mini hardware store—creating livelihoods for their members.
Their efforts bore fruit as their hardware store grew, and so did SECOFICO’s membership, which expanded to around 50 members. Recognizing the group’s dedication, ECOWEB provided a second microgrant that the members used as additional capital, enabling their store to thrive further. Over time, SECOFICO’s store became a vital resource, serving not only Barangay N. Sering but also nearby barangays and passing vessels.
When the opportunity for a third microgrant came, SECOFICO chose to prioritize a project with a broader impact. Staying true to the essence of hinabangay, they proposed a sea ambulance to address the healthcare challenges of their isolated island community. Their collective vision became a reality with the sea ambulance launch, a testament to the power of hinabangay and community-led initiatives in driving lasting change.
“Today is proof of how far we’ve come,” said Regina “Nanette” Salvador-Antequisa, ECOWEB’s Executive Director, during the ceremony. “Hinaot pa ang mga damgo ug mga plano nga gipanghisgutan, nga medyo ubay ubay gyud, makab-ot jud na ninyo. kay nakita naman nako ang resulta sa inyong hinabangay Sigurong mas makab-ot pa ang maong mga damgo pinaagi sa suporta sa Local Government Unit (LGU), provincial government, national government ug ubang agencies nga nia karon.” (“I hope that all the dreams and plans we have discussed—so many of them—will truly be achieved. I have already seen the result of your hinabangay. Those dreams will surely be more attainable with the suppor of the Local Government Unit (LGU), the provincial government, national government and other agencies present here.”)
The sea ambulance is a testament to that vision. SECOFICO, which had previously used microgrants to establish a spare parts shop benefiting both its members and neighboring barangays, proposed the project to address the island’s urgent need for swift medical transport. The vessel will serve as a lifeline for residents, enabling them to respond quickly to emergencies and access vital healthcare services.
The launching ceremony was attended by community members, local officials, and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard. Words of gratitude echoed throughout the program, including a message from Ms. Shamarie M. Savandal, the project’s proponent, who emphasized their goal of creating a lasting impact for the entire community. “Ang gusto namo, makahimo mig project nga ang tibuok barangay ang makabenepisyo. Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat sa barangay ug sa ECOWEB,” (What we wanted was to create a project that would benefit the entire barangay. We are very grateful to our barangay officials and ECOWEB,) she expressed with gratitude, highlighting the collective effort that turned their dream into reality.
A Tradition of Hinabangay
Cherry Mae Piaodingding, an SHG member from Barangay N. Sering, Socorro shares her insights during a learning session after Typhoon Odette’s devastation. During Typhoon Odette’s aftermath, Hinabangay played a crucial role in helping the community rebuild their lives.
At the heart of Socorro’s resilience is the cultural practice of Hinabangay. A deeply ingrained tradition akin to Bayanihan, Hinabangay takes community solidarity to another level. It extends beyond one-off acts of cooperation, becoming a way of life rooted in mutual aid and shared responsibility.
The origins of Hinabangay trace back to Socorro’s history. The town’s name, derived from the Spanish word meaning “help,” embodies its spirit. According to local legend, in 1920, a priest and his companions cried out “Socorro” for assistance when their boat was caught in a violent storm. Without hesitation, the island’s brave fishermen ventured into the turbulent waters, rescuing them. This act of courage and solidarity left a lasting legacy.
Hinabangay became integral to Socorro’s survival through challenges such as the 1924 Colorum uprising, during which many islanders suffered great loss, the spirit of collective action allowed Socorro to rebuild itself. Over the years, this tradition has evolved into an annual practice, where residents work together from July to September to construct homes, repair infrastructure, and livelihoods.
This enduring quality of solidarity continues to guide Socorro today and is a source of pride for the community. During Typhoon Odette’s aftermath, Hinabangay played a crucial role in helping families rebuild their lives long before substantial external aid arrived.
ECOWEB recognized the power of Hinabangay and aligned its SCLR approach with this tradition, enabling the community to take charge of its recovery. By funding initiatives like the sea ambulance, ECOWEB has demonstrated how external support can complement local resilience rather than overshadow it.
Ensuring Sustainability and Overcoming Challenges
Engr. Ghil Lou M. Dela Peña, MPDC, delivers a speech during the launching program. He hopes that the sea ambulance would help the community become resilient and prepared for future disasters.
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sea ambulance in Barangay N. Sering requires collaboration and commitment from various stakeholders. During a meeting after the launch program, several counterpart contributions and commitments were laid out to address the project’s operational needs and overcome initial challenges. Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) pledged to train Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) for emergency response, provide materials and emergency kits, and lobby for the sea ambulance’s inclusion in the 2025 Barangay Health Plan. The DOH also committed to ensuring that a BHW would assist during emergencies, especially those involving childbirth.
PO2 Eljun Espaldon, PCG Sub-Station of Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) N. Sering, expressed his appreciation for the sea ambulance during the program, highlighting its vital role in emergency situations. The Coast Guard promised to assign personnel to assist during emergencies and provide annual Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training for operators and health workers, enhancing their readiness to handle crises effectively. “Grabe jud ni kadakong tabang sa barangay ug coast guard and sea ambulance labi na during emergency situations. Rest assured nga as counterpart sa coastguard, among i-train ang kapitan ug crew (sa sea ambulance) sa Water Search and Rescue (WASAR),” (“The sea ambulance is a tremendous help to the community as well as the Coast Guard, especially during emergencies. Rest assured that, as our counterpart contribution, the Coast Guard will train the captain and crew (of the sea ambulance) in Water Search and Rescue (WASAR),”) PO2 Espaldon stated, underscoring the importance of preparedness and collaboration in ensuring maritime safety.
Engr. Ghil Lou M. Dela Peña, MPDC, representing Engr. Kristopher Glenn R. Dela Peña of the Socorro Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) commended ECOWEB’s ecosystem-focused interventions stating, “Dako kaayog tabang ni kay ilang mga interventions is anchored on ecosystems or involves preparedness sa disasters or uban pa kay ecosystems are directly affected by climate change. Mao nang atong bation ulan, extreme na ulan, kung init, extreme nga init.” (“Their interventions are anchored on ecosystems, which involve preparedness for disasters. Ecosystems are directly affected by climate change, and this is why we are experiencing extreme rainfall or extreme heat.”)
Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of sustainability, “I hope nga atung mga nadawat dili lang sa ECOWEB, ato unta silang masustain para ug naa napuy maabot pa nga mga kalamidad, dili ta mag-ampo, naa na tay resiliency, ready na ta, kung unsa atung experience atung sa Odette we have to synergize nga sa next time ang damage nga mahitabo kay expected naman jud na tungod sa climate change.” (“We hope we can sustain what we have received—not only from ECOWEB—so that when future calamities occur, we don’t just rely on prayers; we are already resilient and prepared. With what we learned from Typhoon Odette, we need to synergize and ensure that the damage next time is minimized because it’s expected due to climate change.”)
The project has faced challenges, particularly in hiring a crew with limited funds. The barangay has set a monthly allowance for the boat operator of only ₱3,000 making recruitment difficult. To address this, Engr. Dela Peña committed to lobbying for MDRRM Council support, while the BLGU planned an ordinance for monthly family contributions to fund maintenance and operations.
Charting a Course for the Future
The community sea ambulance serves as a beacon of hope for communities like Socorro and is also a testament of what can be achieved when resilience and traditions like Hinabangay are supported.
As the sea ambulance was blessed and launched into the waters, it became a symbol of what Socorro can achieve when its traditions and resilience are supported. “Kung tan-awon nato, wa man ta nag-ampo, calamity transforming into an opportunity,” (“This is a reminder that calamities can become opportunities for growth and transformation,”) said Engr. Dela Peña.
The vessel is more than just a response to emergencies; it is a beacon of hope for a community that has weathered storms together. It is also a testament to the enduring relevance of Hinabangay—a cultural legacy that continues to shape the island’s present and future, further strengthened by the sclr approach introduced through the support of ECOWEB and partners.
In Socorro, Bucas Grande island, where the sea gives life and challenges in equal measure, Hinabangay remains the compass guiding its people through adversity. Together, they stand resilient, proving that no matter the tide, unity and collective action will always see them through. | Kin Barkly Tibang & Audrey Rose Velayo
