MANILA, Philippines — That disasters only render people helpless or bring out the worst in them is among the common myths that sociologists have identified, investigated — and debunked.
“Disaster survivors engage in overwhelmingly prosocial behavior, and victims-turned-resourceful-first-responders rationally assess danger and work assiduously to save their neighbors and communities,” lawyer Lisa Grow Sun wrote in “Disaster Mythology and the Law” published in the Cornell Law Review.
She may very well have been referring to employees of Smart Communications who, themselves afflicted by a string of disasters, went beyond the call of duty to help in relief operations and ensure continued service to their communities.
The year 2020 opened in much the same way 2019 ended, with the Philippines buffeted by earthquakes, typhoons and a volcanic eruption.
When Taal Volcano erupted on Jan. 12, sales supervisor Andy Dipon’s first thought was how to deploy critical communications and relief support as soon as possible.
The next day, he and his team inspected their area of operations in Batangas province to assess where help was needed most and how to respond.
“I know how difficult it is during a calamity … because I’ve experienced one myself,” Dipon said, recalling that he was in Tacloban City when a 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook the Visayas last year.
Disrupted communication
Thankfully, he said, when Taal erupted, his wife and three children were in Naga City more than 300 kilometers away. He was initially able to reach them and assure them he was safe.But communication was soon disrupted due to a power blackout and damaged facilities. Yet Dipon soldiered on for the sake of his fellow survivors.
Various units in PLDT and Smart worked together to provide residents in stricken areas in Batangas and the other provinces of Cavite and Laguna free phone calls (“libreng tawag”) and battery charging, as well as Wi-Fi services at evacuation centers and other locations.
The distribution of food, water, hygiene kits, medicines and other essentials was made possible through joint efforts with the Tulong Kapatid social responsibility consortium of companies led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Dipon and his teammates even helped reunite family members separated by Taal’s eruption: A couple had sought help in finding their father.
After coordinating with local government workers and PLDT-Smart employees in the area, they located the missing parent in another evacuation center a few kilometers away.
Even on Christmas Day
In Kalibo, Aklan, Smart senior engineer Bryan Ian Abapo reported for duty immediately after Typhoon “Ursula” slammed into the Visayas, never mind that it was Christmas Day. Restoring service in the badly hit areas could not wait.
“I explained to my family why I had to go back to work even if I was on vacation … how important it is to get the service fixed right away. It’s Christmas! People will be calling family and friends,” he said.
Abapo ended up canceling his vacation and staying in Kalibo to fast-track the network servicing.
The team’s sacrifice paid off: Communication lines were soon restored.
Serving humanity
Dipon has been volunteering for relief operations, fundraisers, tree-planting and blood donation drives for the past seven years.
“We’re not just employees,” he said with conviction. “We are first and foremost humans, called to do our part to serve humanity.”
Says the World Health Organization: “Although isolated cases of antisocial behavior exist, the majority of people respond spontaneously and generously” during disasters.
Smart employees have proven this time and again.