On the morning of October 1, the commitment of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) to community well-being shone brightly as its officials spearheaded a crucial relief mission for the typhoon-battered residents of Sitio Palayan, Barangay Caucab, Almeria. University President Prof. Victor C. Cañezo Jr. personally joined a high-level delegation that included Biliran Governor Rogelio J. Espina, MD, FPOA, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Sofronio Dacillo Jr., and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Office 8 Regional Director Lord Byron P. Torrecarion.

The destination, Sitio Palayan, holds particular significance as it is home to the Mamanua indigenous peoples—a community often among the most vulnerable during natural disasters. The force of Typhoon Opong had rendered the main roads leading to the barangay impassable, underscoring the severity of the damage and the isolation of the residents. Overcoming this logistical challenge, the officials traveled by helicopter to ensure the timely delivery of essential aid.

The primary relief items delivered were hygiene kits, thoughtfully provided by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). While the kits address immediate practical needs, the act of personally delivering them via air speaks volumes about the collective resolve of the provincial leadership and participating agencies to reach every citizen, regardless of geographical barriers. This effort embodies the spirit of genuine Service, a core value of BiPSU which states: "We help change lives."

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

For BiPSU, this mission is far more than a simple act of charity; it’s a living demonstration of the institutional tagline: “weaving of worthiness.” The University's presence alongside key government partners serves to weave together the threads of institutional responsibility, inter-agency cooperation, and profound empathy. By actively participating in disaster response, BiPSU reaffirms that its commitment extends beyond the lecture halls and into the real-world challenges faced by the community it serves.

This seamless cooperation between the academic sector (BiPSU), the Provincial Government, and national disaster agencies like the OCD is the cornerstone of resilience. It sends a clear message to the residents of Sitio Palayan and beyond that they are valued and supported in their journey toward recovery. Each hygiene kit and every difficult mile traveled by the officials helps to "change lives" by restoring dignity, providing security, and ensuring that no community, especially indigenous groups, is left behind.

The successful relief mission highlights BiPSU’s active role in disaster preparedness and response, strengthening the social fabric of Biliran Province and demonstrating that when institutions collaborate, they create a safety net capable of withstanding the fiercest storms. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the #WoWBiPSU spirit.