SAN ISIDRO, Bohol, (PNA) -– The big bold “HELP,” or “We need Food, Water” signs painted on the roads everywhere are over. And what a better way to express gratitude apparently from earthquake victims to the well-meaning donors printed on placard-like or cardboard planted on roadsides in this town.
In traversing the dusty road on the way to Barangay Anonang, Inabanga town, where the earthen wall raised more than three meters high that Phivolcs considers the “new Bohol faultline,” residents who received the goodies also did the same expression of thanks as printed “Thank You” or “Daghang Salamat” (Thank you so much) are all over.
As this developed, distribution of free relief goods still continues here on Friday in Barangay Cabanogan of this remote town, Regaciano Alampayan, 70, said in an interview.
Alampayan who is already retired from his job is one of the beneficiaries who received “goodies” during the distribution of the relief goods in Barangay Cabanogan in this town. He said he is very thankful for the relief goods from well meaning donors he does not know.
Mayor Jacinto Naraga of this earthquake-ravaged town said in an interview that in behalf of his constituents he is very thankful for the help in kind and relief goods distributed to them despite the gargantuan effort he’s facing for the rehabilitation of the damaged public market and municipal hall buildings. He said this town will bounce back to normal.
Gov. Edgar Chatto reiterated the “thank you,” in behalf of the provincial government, to countless donors from foreign agencies like the United State Agency for International Development, the United Nations, the World Health Organizations, European Union, private sector and non-government organizations and other local government units all over the country for the help.
And this time, the beneficiaries of Barangay Cabanogan, this town, who are mostly senior citizens, received, not anymore “fish in cans” (canned tinapa) but canned cooked meat.
Ms. Alma dela Cerna, in-charge of the Aboitiz Foundation that brought a big truck-ful of wrapped food stuff, said that they distributed 5 kilos of rice; one container of 4-liter water; 3 cans of beef loaf;’ 3 cans of sausage; 2 cans of pork and beans; and one kilo of biscuits “made-to-order” from generous company she did not name.
Hundreds of beneficiaries fall in line to receive the relief goods beside the big truck of the foundation that parked in a dusty widened road on the way here.
The Aboitiz Foundation, Dela Cerna said, the in-charge of the distribution, conducted an assessment beforehand and came out with a couponing system. The coupon is the ticket for free relief foodstuff, she said.
In Loay town, Dr. Jojo Flordelis in his text message, said that All-terrain Medical and Relief Organization (AMRO) distributed relief goods, such as rice, canned goods, hammers, saws, nails for reconstruction to the victims Barangay Villalimpia, Calvario, Tambangan and Tayong in this town.
He clarified that Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy did not bar them from doing their humanitarian work contrary to report. “I personally thank Mayor Imboy for her cooperation to help the Loaynons and for transporting our vehicles and goods thru the courtesy of Lite Shippine.”
The Southern Star bus lines operating all over the province reported that the company launched the Oplan Tabang-Bangon Bohol, a humanitarian effort of alleviating the lot of earthquake victims. It said that the group is divided into three bringing with them three large wing vans loaded with relief goods in the towns of Sagbayan, Maribojoc, Antequera, Tubigon, Clarin, Calape and Loon. The 2nd group distributed food stuff to the towns of Cortes, Catigbian, and Sagbayan; the third group in San Isidro, Antequera and Maribojoc, he said.