Tacloban City, Leyte -Never, ever be excessively attached to material possessions. For when disaster strikes, you could not take them with you.
This is the common reflection of many survivors of Typhoon Yolanda who have openly shared their stories of courage and hope.
Letting go
“Never mind your properties. Just ensure that you and your family are safe,” advised Alvin R. Jaro, Project Development Officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office VIII (DSWD-FO VIII), assigned in the municipalities of Calubian, Tabontabon, Tunga, and Babatngon.
Alvin thanked God for helping his family survived ‘Yolanda’.
Vina P. Aquino, Regional Information Officer of DSWD-FO VIII, related that at one point, when she and her sister were advised to move to a safer place and leave their house, she was not really concerned of what she was leaving behind.
She thought that these are all mundane things. She believes that what one really needs especially in times of crisis is the support system and the constant reassurance and comfort from family and friends.
Vina admitted, “The experience has brought me closer to my God; the residents of our village became closer as well.”
DSWD Livelihood Coordinator Herman Mangalao almost drowned when he decided to go back and padlock his house.
“Never cling to material things,” he warned. Herman later on found out his house was wiped out with only the flooring and part of the fence remaining.
Herman’s wife, Noli, is the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) of Kananga town. That time, she was already on duty in the town, bracing for the onslaught of the typhoon.
Herman’s children were in Manila. He was alone in his house when ‘Yolanda’ hit the region.
From their accounts, it can be said that ‘Yolanda’ did not only bring misery but it also brought something wonderful, after all.
“Far from the destruction it wrought, it reawakened social consciousness and deepened that innate spirituality of the survivors,” stressed Enrique A. Odtuhan, a native of Tanauan and is the MSWDO of Matag-ob.
Enrique said that ‘Yolanda’ made him realize not to invest in materials things.
“Every day is a blessing – your work, friends, family. I share my blessings without expecting any in return,” he added.
Fears
Vina considers herself tough as she has been exposed to several disasters that occurred in Eastern Visayas in the past. These included the landslide in Guinsaugon, St. Bernard; Typhoons Uring and Frank; and, the Doña Paz and Doña Marilyn sea tragedies.
However, she realized it is definitely another story when you are the victim.
She said it is frightening and horrible when you witness your place being devastated and wasted and you cannot do anything.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Parent Leader Rowena G. Udtujan shared, “Sana lang makabalik kami sa dati naming buhay. Ngayon, ‘pag humahangin at umuulan, kinakabahan na kami (How I wish we can return to our life before. Now, whenever the winds start to blow strong, we become upset).”
Being mindful
Juliet D. Lazaga a staff of DSWD-FO XI who was part of the first batch of augmentation support who went to Eastern Visayas shared, “What you do to the environment will come back to you for sure. If you litterthe seas, what you reap in return is a manifold of debris and rubbles brought along by disasters. All the trash you hurled in the seas will return to haunt you. We just need to take care of Mother Nature and it will take care of us.”
Enrique emphasized, “Disasters do not choose their victims, you have to be prepared all the time.”
He cited further, “Family and community preparedness is basic for attaining zero casualty during disaster. Typhoons are getting stronger that we are no longer assured of our safety though our houses are made of strong and durable materials.”
“People must be taught proper and right information about the coming calamity. They should have substantial knowledge on disaster preparedness. We have to revive the bayanihan spirit too,” pointed out Nelia N. Oledan, Project Development Officer of DSWD-FO VIII who covers Ormoc City, the towns of Albuera, Cariraga and Kananga.
Nelia who also worked for a non-government organization that takes care of coastal areas emphasized that families must always be ready.
“For any eventuality, my family is ready with flashlight, candles, lighter, noodles, canned goods, potable water, Ready To Eat Food, gasoline, rice, gas, first aid kit, transistor radio with battery, among others, ” Nelia related.
For his part, Enrique prodded beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya who were preparing a communal garden, “Maintain your garden and do not be dependent on the assistance. Ensure that you can stand on your own after Pantawid Pamilya. Remember our thrust, A Garden in Every Home.”
“The day before ‘Yolanda’, we already went around the village and instructed the residents to transfer to the schools and church which we used as evacuation centers. We also cooked four sacks of rice as we foresaw the difficulties ahead,” recounted Barangay Captain Efren C. Merilo of Bislig, Tanauan.
Preparations, needs
Brgy. Capt. Merilo said that they lack disaster facilities and the little that they have should be upgraded.
“We also need to train our people on disaster preparedness especially those in the barangay. For now, the people need livelihood. We are also planning to plant coconut trees intercropped with coffee and cacao.”
Barangay Captain Erwin Sembrero of Planza, Babatngon, said they need to build an evacuation center and acquire as well a speedboat to be used as an ambulance since the village is separated from the mainland and it is very difficult when there are emergency cases.
The village’s nearest hospital is in the city which is more than an hour’s ride. The midwife only visits once a month.
Alvin added, “We need complete disaster facilities, ready-to-eat food… We need to be prepared and alert all the time.”
“We need to imbibe the value of oneness and should always believe in the power of prayers,” Nelia concluded.
‘Yolanda’ may have broken them in different ways but the lessons they learned from ‘Yolanda’ serve as their inspiration to be whole again. ###
