Give more give love.

CEBU, Philippines -  Construction materials is love made visible. So is the supply of tetanus toxoid in areas where a number got hit by flying corrugated sheets and other debris when super typhoon Yolanda battered the country with her 600-kilometer-radius fury.

The plea from Merida to Calubian towns in the northwestern board of Leyte, as well as in Northern Cebu, is not only about food and clothing. Over a week after a 315-kph wind left massive devastation in the northern city and towns of Leyte, residents who are still reeling from the aftermath have to face the demands of restoration. And rehabilitation means having extra supply of carpenters, donation of goods that not only covers basic commodities but hammers, saws, roofing materials, and nails as well.

In Merida alone, a list based on 2010 national census recorded some 28,847 affected residents of 7,716 households. By the way, this has raised the ire of some barangay chairmen who complained that distribution of relief goods should be based on "actual number of members in every household" since the population has already obviously grown after three years.

In Isabel, we encountered a vehicle gridlock on the highway near the gate to the Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Company, as three big trucks of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines have to go through dangling power lines. Within that 20-minute traffic, we learned from barangay tanods manning the road that they expected militarymen to help clear up loose wires and cables, as well as poles toppled by Yolanda that now pose danger to motorists. However, nobody in-charge was sent yet even eight days after the incident. As of this writing, the NGCP trucks were already positioned along the roads, giving the idea that work will commence any minute to allay fears that it would still take four months before power could be fully restored.

In Calubian, a medical mission of the devotees of St. Therese of Lisieux was carried out, but supplies of tetanus toxoid went low. So that Mr. Nerito "Rey" Martinez who leads the Compañero Cayetano Tavang Volunteers has to urge the public, through this write-up, to come to the rescue, even though he himself has been emotionally knocked down by the sad state of the St. Therese Diocesan Shrine.

Martinez is behind the construction of the St. Therese Diocesan Shrine there which has, for years, become an important pilgrimage site in the country.

"As for the shrine, I know the devotees will be so kind to supply roofing materials as well. I know that such help will come. It humbles me to find out that despite the roof gone, St. Therese on the altar has not been blown away. The icon is not attached or hooked to the altar, but the strongest of winds had not touched it a bit. I do feel St. Therese is at home here," he added.

To provide temporary light and ensure potable water, Compañero Cayetano Tavang Volunteers ("v" in tavang is intended to stand for victory) distributed an initial five generator sets to the towns of Palompon, Isabel, Merida, Albuera and Kananga, as well as 25 water filtration sets. CCTV extended help to the first 1,000 families as well in the towns of Villaba, Kananga, Tabango, Matag-ob, and Calubian which are mostly uncovered by relief operations. Packs contain food supplies that could last three days, aside from water and tarpaulins. This is in alliance with Jaycees Cebu International and the Waray-Waray Association in Cebu, Inc.

Osama Alfarhan, a Kuwaiti national, representing Human Foundation came to assess the situation and was about to turn over cash donation. But Martinez was quick to point out to him that the help would be much appreciated in kind to facilitate transparency better. "That's to avoid a notion that we Filipinos can't be entrusted with anything. Siya ang nangompra (in Cebu), ang CCTV lang ang ni-help og distribute, para walay trampas," Martinez pointed out.

Alfarhan came back with 250 sacks of rice, boxes of sardines, noodles, and purified water, 10 units of generator sets at P42,945 each, and assorted medicines for the medical mission.

Back in Merida, Dr. Leonor "Neng" Salazar-Martinez (coordinator for the CCTV mission in her town) shared she has to beg for roofing materials for the close to 8,000 affected residents. "Mahirap para sa akin pero anong magagawa ko? Di naman kaya ng LGU bigyan lahat, kaya kailangan talaga kapalan ko mukha ko ngayon. Palimos ng roofing materials. Kung saan man makakarating ang write-up mo sana maipalam mo, ija, sa mga tao na Merida is part of Leyte. Na hindi lang Tacloban ang affected. Marami pang bayan sa Leyte na affected ang hindi pa nadadalaw. Kaya akala lang okey lang kami. Sana naman agencies will include us in their relief operations."

According to Merida Mayor Jesus Antonio "Tony" Martinez, they are grateful no tidal wave had hit the town and that the winds hadn't pummeled in the nighttime or the consequences could be graver. Still, they were not able to meet the zero-casualty target. "I would say that we can't really force people to get out of their houses, kay comfort zone man gud nila. Awayon man ta if mag-force evacuation. They are afraid to lose their belongings."

When a house crumbled, a 79-year-old woman in Poblacion tried to cross the street to seek shelter in a neighbor's house, but it was too late. She was carried away by the strong wind. The woman was identified as Juana Giango Roma. The rest of the casualties are: Maria Padayo, 55 of Poblacion, who was hit by a tree branch; Rominita Sanchez Capulac, 50, of Barangay Tubod, who was hit by a fallen buri tree; Mark Joan Solis Donayre, two years old of Brgy. San Jose who was hit by a coconut tree, so were Karen Solis, 26, Loreto Daguie, 70, Rudy Joseph, 70 of Canbantug; and Emelito Dumagsa Noya, 38, of Libas. This is based on a disaster report prepared by Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Oscar D. Calambo.

Roofing materials and tarpaulins are greatly appreciated in Medellin, Cebu as well, says municipal consultant Jeanette P. Malinao via Facebook page. Earlier, Mayor Ricardo Ramirez lamented on how the town was put aside because of political affiliation. He articulated via media interviews how they were bypassed, when no vehicle could ever reach Daanbantayan town without ever passing first in Medellin being on the "neck" of the Cebu map.

"It's like a warzone in here. The destruction is as massive as the rest of our neighboring northern towns exposed to Yolanda's path. So residents need the same provisions that the affected ones have been clamoring," she expressed via text message. (FREEMAN)