Operation Tulong, Manila Broadcasting Company's corporate social responsibility arm, strives for stronger partnership ties, volunteerism, and faster action through programs in succeeding years.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City on Sunday, January 21, Operation Tulong’s Manager Mae Binauhan shared with DZRH Digital a few major milestones still ahead for the public service program.

“[Y]ung mga milestones na gusto ko ay ma-vision natin for Operation Tulong para sa mga susunod na taon yung mas mabilis na pag-aksyon pa natin lalong-lalo na sa mga panahon ng calamity,” Binauhan said in an interview.

She also wished to convey the Filipinos’ efforts to help one another amid hardships despite the difficulties they faced.

“Ang hirap ng panahon ngayon because alam naman natin yung reality na marami tayong mga kababayan na talagang naghihirap pero sa pamamagitan nung mga tulong na mapagsama-sama [...] nandoon pa rin yung puso ng mga Pinoy na makatulong sa abot ng kanilang makakaya so gusto ko ay yun ay maiparating,” she added.

With over 1,000 volunteers that span respective groups and chapters nationwide, Binauhan still hoped to gather more and bolster the program’s initiatives through volunteerism.

“[Gusto ko] ma-gather yung marami pa sa ating mga kababayan, ma-invite sila para maging volunteers para mas maintindihan nila na ito pala yung sitwasyon ng Pilpinas.”

During its 45th anniversary, volunteers who have been in Operation Tulong for as long as it has been established were touted as Gawad Parangal lifetime awardees.

Among those who received the award were Evaristo San Jose and Sofie Tidon for being with the public service program for 45 and 44 years, respectively.

But running a 45-year program is not without its share of setbacks, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc in the country already grappling with economic crises.

“Yung economic aspect kasi [ang naging challenge] dahil dumaan tayo sa pandemic so marami tayong mga donors hindi ganun ka-supportive because meron din silang pinagdadaanan,” Binauhan said.

“Kasi siyempre kapag tutulong tayo dapat meron tayo talagang mash-share at maibibigay dun sa mga kababayan natin,” she added.

Dubbed the flagship station’s “wonderwoman,” Binauhan shared that they hurdled this challenge through the aid of donors and partnerships.

“Nalampasan naman dahil marami pa rin naman, sa abot ng kanilang makakaya, yung napapagsama-sama natin [na donors] at yun yung nabibigay natin sa mga nangangailangan lalong-lalo na yung may mga sakit,” she said.

Operation Tulong’s partners also graced the event and shared their hopes for stronger partnership ties for years to come. Among them were various Rotary Clubs, the bloodletting organization Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay, G-Tecnica Equipment Corporation, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Having helmed the public service program for almost 16 years, Binauhan said uniting and working together were needed to achieve the program’s visions for succeeding years.

“Kung tayo ay laging nagkakaisa at nagtutulungan, mas mabilis yung ating maitutulong sa panahon ng pangangailangan and at the same time mas marami yung ating agad na maaabot,” she said.