"Dakal a salamat pu kekayu ngan, maragul a saup ya pu ini para kekami (Maraming salamat po sa inyo, malaking tulong po ito para sa amin)” – Old Bangcu Community
Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, and its lahar washed out many areas in Tarlac, including the Old Bangcu community of Bamban, Tarlac. Long years have passed but the Old Bangcu community is still struggling to recover from the widespread destruction of the previous disaster. They still lack necessities and struggle to live a better life on a day-to-day basis. In order to encourage and motivate beneficiaries to rebuild their lives, Expert Service Providers (ESPs) led by Prof. Erwin L. Sibal, project leader, along with Prof. Raul P. Canlas, Prof. Arnel P. Punla, Prof. Alfredo B. Ibanez, Prof. Nino Enrico R. Bantolino, Prof. Michael B. Tomas and Prof. Erico L. Garcia prosperously implemented an extension activity entitled: “Community Outreach for Mt. Pinatubo Eruption victims at Brgy. Old Bangcu, Bamban Tarlac,” which was held on February 18, 2023. A total of thirty to fifty packs of relief goods were successfully distributed to the beneficiary.
Following the gift-giving program, the Expert Service Providers (ESPs) had the opportunity to explore Brgy. Old Bangcu and observe their way of life. They discovered that their community is indeed struggling with basic necessities such as drinking water. They have two to three water pumps, but the community is still hesitant to drink it because it still contains dirt. To wrap up the activity, the Expert Service Providers (ESPs) met briefly with Mr. Michael Sanggalang, a representative of the Old Bangcu Community, to discuss a long-term community development extension project.
This extension activity of CET - Technology Engineering Department contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Goal 01: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger since the program offers necessities, including food, to prevent hunger and poverty for Brgy. Old Bangcu community.
