“Masayang-masaya kami kasi ‘yung bigay na tulong e diretso sa amin dito at saka lahat makakatagamtam ng bigas na ‘yun. Saka hindi na nila ako masisisi kasi nandiyan sila sa pagrerepack ng bigas, lahat alam na may anim na kilong bigas ang mga residente dito (We are happy because the goods are directly given to us and everyone will be able to receive the rice packs. Also, they cannot blame me because they know that each family shall receive six kilos of rice).”

These were the words of Delia M. Amosco, the Barangay Chairman of Punta Maria, a small barangay in Borongan City.

Captain Delia or Kap Delia to her constituents, has been serving the residents of Brgy Punta Maria for over 10 years now, first as a barangay councilor, and now as a barangay chairman on her second term. Punta Maria has a total population of 157 families located just beside the Borongan City Airport, a 30-minute ride from the town proper of Borongan City.

Typhoon Ruby damaged 80% of the houses in the village. Strong winds have taken down a lot of coconut trees affecting the livelihood of the residents.

Kap Delia shared that they would have to wait for a year before they can harvest copra again, which is their main source of income.

After the onslaught of ‘Ruby’,  the villagers were faced with the problem of where to get food because even the market and the small ‘sari-sari’ stores ran out of commercial rice. Kap Delia knew that typhoon survivors need food to regain strength to rebuild their lives.

Being the head of the community, she immediately went to the city hall to ask for assistance. Consequently, each family in Punta Maria was initially given two kilos of rice and two canned goods. Kap Delia was also able to request for additional 10 sacks of rice from the Office of the Governor. Upon learning that they are going to receive 19 sacks of rice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), she expressed her gratitude and shared that her people will be truly happy because six kilos of rice can feed bigger families and can last for few more days.

To date, DSWD has provided more than 12,000 family food packs to Borongan City based on requests of the 61 barangays. Every barangay chairman was required to submit a certification on the total number of affected families in his/her area before getting the needed food assistance. The residents would then repack the goods themselves.

For Kap Delia, this system is more efficient because they directly receive the food supply and at least there will be transparency as the residents who will assist in the repacking will be well aware of what they are due. With only less than two weeks before Christmas, Kap Delia’s wish is not just for her. “Ang gusto ko lang ay magkabahay na ang mga nasiraan ng bahay at maski yung mga hindi gaanong nasira kasi maraming natanggal ang bubong tapos yung mga matatanda na walang mga anak dito, gusto ko sana ngayong Pasko magkaroon sila ng bahay. At saka tulad ngayon may bigay ang DSWD, siguro lahat kami masaya ngayong Pasko (I wish that the people whose houses were damaged will be able to build back their homes again. Also, for the elderly without children, I hope that this Christmas they will be given a home to stay.

Now that we received rice packs from DSWD, I think we will have a happy Christmas),” she said. This Christmas, she also sends out a message to other barangay chairmen. “Lakasan niyo ang inyong loob. Saka manalig tayo sa Diyos. Magdasal tayo ng kasulbaran ng mga problema dito sa atin. Ngayon pa na may nagbibigay sa atin (Be strong and have faith in God.  With our prayers and assistance from different groups, we will overcome our challenges),” she added. Despite being heavily affected by the wrath of ‘Ruby’, Delia remains hopeful that they will still have a good Christmas especially now that  help  from the public and private sectors continues to pour in. ###