Responding to Crisis: Tropical Depression Basyang in Iligan City
Tropical Depression Basyang caused significant floods in Iligan City on February 6, 2026. The severe rain caused rivers to rise and villages in low-lying areas to be flooded, forcing families to leave their homes and disrupting their lives. Flooding is still one of the most common and dangerous natural disasters in the Philippines because it is located along the typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire (PAGASA, 2023). Research shows that community-based disaster response is very important for lessening the effects of disasters, especially in the first few days after the event (Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters [CRED], 2022). Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) showed that service goes beyond the doors of the school during this crisis. It reached out to communities when they needed it most.
A Unified Institutional Response: The IMCC Family in Action
The Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) quickly organized a large-scale, coordinated effort to help the community when Tropical Depression Basyang caused terrible floods. The NSTP and NSRC Volunteer Coordinators led the effort, working closely with the Community Extension Office, the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, and the Research Department. The National Service Training Program Act of 2001’s main goal is to make Filipino young more aware of their civic duties, prepare them for service, and encourage them to volunteer. This coordinated action is an example of that.
The answer showed that IMCC is not only a school but also an active humanitarian partner in times of need. The Chairman of the Board led the whole IMCC family: administrators, faculty, staff, and students, in giving money, relief supplies, and clothes that could be used. This group effort showed that everyone in the academic community is responsible for service, not just one office.
On the ground, IMCC TD Basyang Volunteers helped organize the regular delivery of hot meals, bottled water, and necessary clothing to families who had been devastated by the floods. The people who received the relief products were treated with respect and attention. The operations lasted for seven days in a row, which was a very important time for families who had to leave their homes.
The project was more than just giving things away; it also showed empathy, solidarity, and civic duty. The ongoing volunteer work strengthened social cohesion and community resilience, which are ideas that are in line with what civic engagement scholars have found, such as Robert D. Putnam, who says that volunteering is an important way to build trust and strength in communities.
Gratitude from the Community
The families who were helped were very thankful for the warmth and generosity of the IMCC volunteers. Their heartfelt thanks served as a strong reminder that even small acts of kindness may make a big difference in the world. The program did more than just help people right away; it also brought people together and gave them hope during a period of uncertainty. It confirmed that community extension initiatives are important ways for colleges and universities to fulfill their duty as agents of social change. IMCC’s response to Tropical Depression Basyang clearly showed that it is dedicated to developing not only skilled workers, but also caring and socially responsible citizens.
To sum up, IMCC Community Service during Tropical Depression Basyang really showed what “Beyond Boundaries” means. The effort brought together administrators, staff, and students in a shared mission of service and solidarity that extended beyond classrooms, departments, and institutional functions. When things go wrong, an institution’s true worth is shown not just by how well it teaches, but also by how willing it is to help and lift others. IMCC showed that community service is more than just a duty; it’s a commitment to humanity and a constructive force for sustainable change in the community through collective action, empathy, and long-term volunteering.