Urbiztondo is one of the 44 municipalities of the province of Pangasinan in Northern Luzon.  Located in the northwestern part of Pangasinan, it is a third class municipality made up of 21 barangays, 81.80 sq. km., with an estimated population of 43,450.

        At the center of the town is Pius V Parish where the SSVP conference under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Jovero “Bobits” Batican was organized in 2007.

        SSVP is the prime mover of the social service ministry of the parish and was at the fore front of the relief operations after typhoon Pepeng ravaged the town along with Mangatarem.  Urbiztondo is known as the cacao and corn capital of the province but now no more after the devastations brought by the typhoon.  It will be a long haul before things return to normal.

      At the time of our relief operations, October 18, 2009, water had receded in many areas but marks of the flood remain.   Trees and plants especially rice, corn and peanuts, the primary produce of the town’s folk were covered with dried mud.  Foul smells linger in some areas.  Stains in the houses, walls and even trees are still visible.

        SSVP relief operations were extended in two low lying areas very close to the river banks:  Barangay Malibong and Barangay Salavante. Estimated number of families badly affected was 500 but SSVP can only assist 300 families.  Thanks to the effective system of distribution of the parish and local SSVP in coordination with BEC leaders, the relief operation was orderly.  The beneficiaries were only too grateful to receive substantial goods that consisted of five kilos of rice, canned tuna, noodles, coffee, milk, bottled water, mats and blankets,  three pairs of slippers and anti bacteria skin ointment for skin disease.  Fr. Bobits specifically requested for the latter as the people were already developing skin irritations due to the floods.

        Despite of the rains during the relief operations, people came.  To some of the farmers, who have been self contained in the past, it is quite ironic to be receiving rice as relief goods as they were supposed to be the producers of the staple food.   Even as relief distribution was still going on, the people were bracing themselves for preemptive evacuation in case super typhoon “Ramil” comes.

        Back at the parish, tentative plans have been mapped out for an intensified formation of the SSVP in November and the blessing of their proposed charity clinic.  The purok leaders in the different barangays who have signified their interest in joining the Society long before the typhoon came are more determined than ever to become members.

        SSVP representatives from the National Council led by Sis. Lorna Macaroncio. Administrative Officer and Sis. Emilie Sarmiento, Twinning Officer during the outreach were joined by SSVP officers from the National Capital Region, Bro. Sauro Baciera and Sis. Belen Prado, Daughters of Charity from Sta. Isabel College, Manila and other members from NCR.