Philstar, Freeman bring aid to Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines - Typhoon victims in three barangays in Madridejos, Bantayan Island benefitted from some 2,300 packs of relief goods distributed by a team of volunteers from The Philippine Star’s Operation Damayan and The Freeman yesterday.

No less than Star Group President and CEO Miguel Belmonte and wife Milette led the team to the island. They arrived in Cebu the other day to help repack relief goods amounting to P1 million.

Yesterday, the goods were distributed to families in Barangays Talangna, Poblacion and Tarong.

“That was a very successful distribution. Nakapagbigay tayo ng more than 2000 in two hours at lahat ay nabigyan. We continue to believe in sharing our blessings,” Belmonte said.

Each relief pack contains five kilos of rice, canned goods, cereals, coffee, milk, a blanket, a mat, and slippers. Two thousand gallons of water were also distributed separately to the families.

Anita Fariolen, 58, said they are glad that the packs included necessities such as drinking water and sleeping mats.

“Nalipay gyud mi sa hinabang. Mao gyud ni among gikinahanglan karon (We are very happy for the help extended. These are what we really need now),” she said.

Food items in each relief pack is estimated to last each family for three days, but Anita’s neighbor, Amelita Villadolid, admitted her family of 12 can consume the donation in a day. Still, she said, she has all reasons to be thankful.

“Bisag kutob ra ni og isa ka adlaw, mapasalamaton gihapon mi nga ni-ari ang taga-Star ug taga-The FREEMAN. Igoon gihapon ni ang pagkaon aron makakaon ang tanan (We can consume this in a day, but we are still thankful that the Philippine Star and The Freeman visited us. We will just make sure everyone in the family can partake of the blessings we received),” Amelita said.

Mayor Sally dela Fuente said the donations were a big help to the town. “This is indeed a big help to us,” he said, adding, they still welcome more donations from those willing to help.

Belmonte lauded the resiliency of the Cebuanos amid the successive calamities that hit the province starting with the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that jolted Central Visayas on October 15.

“I’m impressed with the resiliency that I’ve personally witnessed in Cebu. Life is going back to normal despite the visible damage after the earthquake. Even in the past, Cebuanos have showed how strong they are. I know Cebu will recover soon,” Belmonte said.

As of November 19, Operation Damayan received a total of P7.3 million in donations. This amount, Belmonte said, is the biggest they have received since the time the foundation has generated money for typhoon victims.

Another team from the Philippine Star is also distributing relief goods to victims in Basey, Samar and Tanauan, Leyte today.

A P1-million donation from the Angelo King Foundation is also being channeled for the relief operations in Ormoc City through Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez who also happens to be a columnist of the Star.

Rehabilitation

Considering that education is one of the thrusts of Damayan Foundation, Belmonte said they are now eyeing at building a six-classroom school building in Tacloban. Foundation officials are set to discuss the plan with local government officials.

Belmonte said the foundation will invest another P1 million for the school building project.

“These people who have fled out the city will just be temporary for the meantime. We expect them to go back once they are already on the road to full recovery,” he said.

He said the government has to take the lead in reconstructing houses and infrastructure in  typhoon-stricken areas given the upsurge of foreign aid from various countries.

Prior to the typhoon, the foundation extended help to 3,000 families in Loon, Bohol which was among the worst-hit areas of the massive earthquake. Belmonte said they hope to return to Bohol, believing that more help is still needed there. — /JMO  (FREEMAN)