Young nurse chooses to serve Mindanao tribes

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – John Oliver Tablazon, a young registered nurse from General Santos City, knows no boundaries in serving those in need.

Crossing 14 rivers and trekking hilly terrains do not stop him from helping underserved communities in Mindanao, particularly the Lumad people in the mountains of Malapatan, Sarangani province. 

Tablazon’s volunteer work helps tribes to address lack of education, malnutrition, and poverty in their communities.

As president of Hearts and Brains Youth Volunteers (HABYV), a group based in Sarangani and General Santos City, Tablazon introduced the Bahay Tuluyan Project to promote basic education in the area.

Beneficiaries of the project include indigenous children who endure long walks – between 14 to 20 kilometers – just to reach school. Such difficult situation discourages them to continue attending classes.

To address the problem, Tablazon helped construct a makeshift dormitory through the Bahay Tuluyan Project, which was implemented in Malkahi Elementary School in Malapatan town. Children who came from remote areas can stay in the dormitory while they attend school on weekdays.

The makeshift dorm, which was built on May 2014 through the food–for–work system, is made of light indigenous materials and can accommodate 20 to 35 children.

On being a volunteer

For years, Tablazon has also led a number of young volunteers who actively worked on projects that support education, health, and the protection of the environment.

His team does not only distribute school supplies but also conducts literacy and numeracy sessions.

Another notable project of HABYV is its assistance in constructing a potable water system and improvised community toilet for the communities in the mountains of Malapatan.

The group also holds medical missions and child feeding activities. It has implemented the Walking Blood Databank program that links up poor patients with blood donors.

The youth volunteer organization has also introduced backyard gardening and joined tree planting activities.   

The impact of the group’s work in communities has been recognized by various award-giving bodies. In 2012, the HABYV was among the awardees of the Smart PAYITFWD Community Project, while in 2014, the group was a finalist in the General Santos City Youth Achievers Award. It was also a finalist in the 2014 Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines (TAYO).

According to Tablazon, his group was able to accomplish its projects with the help of government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, the academe, and generous individuals.  

Tablazon helps the office of the Saranggani governor achieve its special projects for education. He was also designated as the youth representative of the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12.   

The prize of passion

His group may have reaped awards, but for Tablazon, the greatest prize of his efforts is seeing the smiles of the people he helps, especially the children.

When asked why he loves doing volunteer work, he said it is because there are places which are in need of development workers.

According to him, the present situation of the indigenous peoples across the country serves as his inspiration to “widen the horizon (of his advocacy work), and to make light lighter and the good better.”

Through volunteerism and development work, Tablazon wants to show that something can be achieved without receiving anything in exchange. His heart burns with passion to help others as he continues to go out, take action, and accomplish more. – Rappler.com

Shahana Joy E. Duerme is the information officer of the Philippine Information Agency in Region 12, Koronadal City, South Cotabato.