by Robyn Espedido

Community immersion began on the 1st of April and will end on the 12th of May; it has been three weeks in and the Team has accomplished so much than what was expected. Project Triple M was launched last March 26 with a little less than 30 farmers, since then it has doubled, reaching 61 farmers of Sitio Rero-an. With so many farmers engaged, it was clear to the Team that selling Empanadas would not be enough to fund the projects of the team, a benefit concert was planned in order to raise enough money. SYNERGY: A Benefit Concert for the Farmers of Sitio Rero-an, Barangay Acao, Cabatuan, Iloilo was held on April 6, 2015 at Blandina Sunrise in Miagao, Iloilo. The Team partnered with Songwriters Philippines – Iloilo, who also performed in the concert together with other UPV performing organizations and bands, and also two local artists – The Pretzels and Trauma.

The Team was able to organize the event within two weeks which was not a minor feat. Various establishments also helped in sponsoring the event, including Ayala Business Club Iloilo, Iloilo Women's Health Care Specialists Incorporated, Panay Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Institute, Panay Orthopedic Supplies Incorporated, Panay Medical Ventures Incorporated, Papermints, Aningalan ATV Adventure Park, Damires Hills, Cafe Diem, Farm To Table, Pepsi Cola, Premier Purified Drinking Water, Hobby Touch Printing Services, UP SCINTILLA JVRIS Fraternity and UP STELLA JURIS Sorority, and the family of Team. Without these organizations, establishments, family and friends, SYNERGY would not have been a success. A minimum of Php 30,000.00 was accumulated from the concert.

A core group composing of farmers, kagawad and barangay officials and LGU representatives was formed the following day after the benefit concert. An election of officers was then conducted together with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Team and the Core Group, headed by Sir Romeo Relatos, Jr.

In the following days, the Team went house-to-house to conduct a pre-assessment on the farmers and gather data on their knowledge, attitude, and practices. A lecture on the safe and judicious use of pesticide and the importance of personal protective equipment was given by representatives from the DILG and the DA, respectively. The farmers in attendance listened avidly to the discussion, asking questions and participating.

All the proceeds from the concert was used to purchase the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of the farmers. Boots, gloves and masks were given to the farmers on April 10, 2017. The smiles on the faces of the farmers as they received their PPEs were enough evidence of how grateful they were. Some were overwhelmed with excitement that they started to try on their goodies as soon as they got them.

As Public Health students, our goal as a team is to help the community in maintaining their health, giving them the opportunity to take care of themselves and to decide on what they think is best for them and their families. To be able to give them the equipment they need to achieve these gave the Team a great sense of fulfillment. Despite being only halfway into the project, these recent events had fueled and inspired the Team to do more for the farmers of the community.