Lerias, in a letter received by the governor yesterday, said she is grateful for Garcia's time, presence, assistance and friendship, which was shown at its zenith when Garcia visited her two days after the incident for no far greater reason than to personally sympathize with the former.
Garcia's show of sympathy separates from the rest of government officials who went there whose major concerns were the search, rescue, retrieval and relief operations and the evacuation of the residents in the 12 other barangays in St. Bernard town, and worse finger-pointing at who was to blame in the said incident.
"I cannot thank you enough. Your presence at the time when I needed a shoulder to cry on said more than a thousand words and eased the pain of a truly burdened friend," Lerias' letter read.
Further, Lerias stated in her letter her province's gigantic task of rebuilding not only the recently landslide-stricken barangay Guinsaugon, but also the many other communities in her place, which were similarly situated as that of the said village.
"I do not know when we will be able to rise but we will," Lerias said.
Upon reading this portion of Leria's letter, the governor said, "That's the woman speaking," expressing her admiration to Lerias' willpower.
The Cebu provincial government was among the very first local government units in the country to have had responded to the call of Lerias for help, sending in its composite team composed of 10 volunteer rescue groups to barangay Guinsaugon. The Cebu composite team was also among the last to leave the said area when the search and rescue operation was already deemed hopeless.
In recognition of their invaluable efforts, Malacañang will be hosting a "thank-you dinner" for its team leaders on March 15.
Garcia, on the other hand, said a talk with Lerias over the phone last Thursday revealed that the latter wanted the former to personally hand over to her the bank check containing the Cebu provincial government's P5-million financial assistance to Southern Leyte for its rehabilitation program. Garcia's visit is tentatively scheduled on the fourth week this month.
There is also going to be a separate check for the total P5,180 cash donations that Capitol was able to pool in.
Marivic Garces, officer in charge of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said they had already transported to St. Bernard town at least 10 truckloads of goods.
Capitol is coming out with a two-page advertisement that would mention all those who have donated in appreciation for their assistance.
Further, of the P1-million funds that Bigfoot Global Solutions Inc. pledged to be used in buying items and materials needed for the search, rescue, retrieval and relief operations in St. Bernard town, about P150,000 is left unutilized so that the said company decided that it be given as financial assistance to students from barangay Guinsaugon who are studying in Cebu.
Garces said they have already identified 15 beneficiaries of the said financial assistance, the list of which is going to be submitted to the Aboitiz Group Foundation, Inc., that is handling the scholarship program for the students from the said barangay. - Cristina C. Birondo