When the person I’m reporting to in the NGO I just joined told me we were going to visit the relocation site of typhoon victims in Laguna, I had mixed feelings. I was a bit apprehensive because I heard the atmosphere was depressing…and I try to stay away from anything that would damage my spirit in any way.
But, I had no choice. I was just hired to write stories about the works of the NGO and it means going around to areas where it extends help to less fortunate people. Off I went trying to separate my emotions from work. “It’s just work. It’s just work. Focus on the work. Interview people. Take pictures. And that’s it.”
I’m glad I went.
The experience was more than just an eye-opener but a learning one. I guess, the most memorable (for the lack of a proper word) is meeting and knowing two young social workers who know that serving people is how they want to spend their lives.
Jerry and Mau are just two of the twenty-something social workers of Operation Compassion International (OC). Jerry has been pulled out from one of OC’s major projects in Bicol (that deserves another story) not only because he is a cum laude from Bicol University but Pastor Dong Cucio, OC’s executive director, believes that he is the perfect person to put things in order at the relocation site in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Indeed, as soon as we arrived, Jerry diligently went to work: gathered data, talked to families, administered first aid to one of the sick children, went to a wake, and tried to come to terms that this would be his home for the next months or so.
Mau, on the other hand, is very focused. She is assigned to look after the families relocated in Binan, Laguna. Her list of things to do is endless but Mau knows what her priorities are. She did not leave until she met with the team leaders of the families who had just arrived, regardless if it was way past lunchtime and we were all starving. Such is her dedication to her chosen vocation.
OC has been in charge to help 1,000 displaced families from Marikina to build their lives anew. OC is one of the very first groups to respond during and right after Typhoon Ondoy. The NGO has been considered an expert in disaster response. Immediately after the first day assessment, the group went to work: coordinated with the social welfare department, Natural Disaster Coordinating Council, barangay officials, packed relief goods which contain among other things personal hygiene needs, gathered more resources and donations, etc.
However, the greatest challenge OC faces is helping rebuild the lives of the families. Pastor Dong met with Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando together with one of OC’s faith-based partners. They offered help and upon learning of OC’s skills in community development, Mayor Fernando assigned the relocated families to OC.
Agony never ends
When I, Pastor Dong, and Jerry arrived in Binan, throngs arrived at the doorstep of Nanay Evangeline, one of the team leaders. Stories of their nightmares poured in. Four families were asked by someone not connected with the Marikina Health Office (tasked to assign families to take to Laguna) to join the other families who were to be transported to Laguna. Sadly, because they were not in the infamous Master List, they remained homeless.
Some people related how they were herded like cattle to a truck at 2 a.m. They brought whatever they could carry. Others told of how their homes were demolished right before their eyes without further notice and asked them to look for their names in the Master List. There are mothers, with infants and toddlers, who were still in evacuation centers before they were brought to the site who complained of one-day notice of relocation: no briefing, no preparation both mentally and emotionally.
My heart broke when a mother cried helplessly remembering her old mother she left in Marikina. I never imagined I would be in that situation when I need to get data and remain calm. I think it was the hardest, and I mean hardest, task I ever did so far.
The kids who, perhaps, have no idea of their fate played outside their new homes. But the pain of the tragedy and being uprooted in their familiar neighborhood showed.
Most of the families are separated from their livelihood in Marikina. Most of the men opted to stay behind because their work is in the city.
But majority of the displaced families are very hopeful of their new life. “I’ll never go back there; it’s better here,” said one mother.
Still, the fact remains that rebuilding a new life is a humongous task. That is why OC is trying to assist them. They are trying to integrate the families to the existing community. It is essential to communicate, not just coordinate, with the local government units, barangay officials, barangay health workers, local social welfare department, and the police.
OC has also assigned a chaplain to help the families in their spiritual needs. It has a feeding program especially for the children held regularly at certain times of the week.
Right now, OC focuses on the children: proper nutrition, vitamins, medicines, new school supplies, new uniforms, books, and most especially, new toys. Stuffed toys, some say, help children cope with the trauma. Maybe because, they can hug the stuffed toys?
I have to admit, I am not much of a kids-person but every time I look into their eyes, I feel a sense of responsibility to do something for them.
