The Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (SOMPH) retreat house in Binoligan, Kidapawan City, an OMI-run center has become a haven of refuge for several (Locally Stranded Individuals) LSIs and (Persons Under Monitoring) PUMs under the care of city government of Kidapawan. Since last year, the shrine has been accepting individuals and families under quarantine during the event of the pandemic.
Through the joint program of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and Kidapawan City government, LSIs and PUMs are quarantined in the OMI retreat house, identified as one of the quarantine centers. In Kidapawan City, only a number of centers have been assigned for such delicate role of accepting person under quarantine.
The decision was made by Bp. Charlie Inzon, OMI, the apostolic vicar of Jolo Vicariate, who was then the OMI provincial superior during their meeting with Mayor Joseph Evanghelista of Kidapawan City, early last year. It was a huge decision for the OMI congregation as it will affect the image of the retreat house. But seeing in the missionary perspective and the need of the people, it was decided that the retreat house will be offered to be one of the quarantine centers in Kidapawan City.
During that time, the retreat house accepted several LUIs and PUMs for free of accommodation. It was an effort to help the city government and specially those under quarantine. The OMI retreat house has about 17 separate houses, each with 4 bedrooms accommodating 2 persons per room. But in most cases, the rooms are packed with patients numbering from 40 to 60 individuals, including their families.
In August and September 2020, the center was packed with even more patients. After a group of patients would end their quarantine period time of 14 days, another group of patients would arrive as replacements. It was a tough job for Bro. Gonie Bongao, OMI and Bro. Joe Aduana, OMI, the assigned oblates in the center as they facilitate in the arrangement of the facilities and the important and necessary needs of the patients.
Bro. Bongao, OMI, the newly assigned director of the OMI retreat house in Binoligan has been a witness to the services offered by the center. As the director, he has to check all the facilities for any repairs and the patients’ immediate needs. Moreover, because of the pandemic, the center’s fund has depleted with no income from retreats and seminars are coming in. In regular days, the retreat house would get their fund from accepting and facilitating retreats, recollections and seminars from different schools and companies coming from different cities and provinces in Mindanao. And so in the event of the pandemic, the center has been very dependent on the financial support of the congregation’s fund.
But the situation changed when the city government of Kidapawan offered board and lodging fees for the patients from January 2021 to June 2021. It was a huge relief for the center as it can now recover from its total loss. Although the amount was a huge help, the need for repairs of some facilities is still to be planned as to where to get the budget for the said repairs and renovation. Nevertheless, the OMI retreat house’ management is still optimistic that it will still find its footing in the next succeeding months. What is more important now for the center is to prioritize the need of the people during this trying time.
Today, the OMI retreat house is still a center of refuge for many patients, both for LSIs and PUMs. Aside from its good facilities, the center is a relaxing place for those looking for silence and peace of mind. Moreover, it is a constant feeling of relief for Bro. Bongao and Bro. Aduana every time they learn that all the LSIs and PUMs who finish their quarantine period return in their homes and families well and healthy.
The OMI retreat house is still confident that the situation will change for good. Nevertheless, for Bro. Bongao and Bro. Anduana, as long as the center is helping people, they are still willing to take an extra mile, offering their services for those in need.
God bless you 🙏🏼
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