ANG ka-hindik-hindik na hagupit ng Typhoon Yolanda noong November 8, 2013 ang nagpabago sa takbo ng pamumuhay ng aking mga kababayan sa lalawigan ng Capiz, ang tinaguriang Sea Food Capital of the Philippines. Sa pagtutulungan kasi ng mga residente, local officials, non-government organization at Canadian government bumangon mula sa pagkalugmok ang Capizeños kahit na kakarampot lamang ang naiambag ng mga ahensya ni President Noynoy Aquino, di tulad ng pagbuhos ng ayuda sa Tacloban, Leyte at Cebu. Pagdadamayan sa kababayan ang puhunan ng mga Capizeños kung kaya umahon sila sa pagkalugmok, di tulad ng Tacloban, Leyte na hanggang sa ngayon hindi pa lubusang nakakamit ng mga biktima ni Yolanda ang tulong na bilyon-bilyon. Ika nga’y puro press release lang, hehehe! Dito ko nasubukan ang serbisyong tunay ng provincial government ng Capiz. Bagamat kakarampot lamang ang income ng lalawigan, naipamudmod naman sa mga nasalanta ng Yolanda. Tunay na mayroon din ang hindi nakatikim sa ipinamigay na relief goods and financial assistance dahil mas inuna ang pagpapagawa sa mga nasirang infrustructure upang ang hanapbuhay ay muling maisulong.
Ang pagtindig ng Capiz ay personal na pinangasiwaan nina Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Vice Gov. Esteban Evan B. Contreras II, Congressman, 1st District: Antonio A. Del Rosario; 2nd District: Fredenil H. Castro; Municipal Mayors: Roxas City, Angel Allan B. Celino; Maayon, Wilfredo E. Borres Sr.; Panitan, Generoso D. Derramas; Pontevedra, Esteban Jose B. Contreras; Panay, Dante B. Bermejo; Pilar, Gideon Ike R. Patricio; President Roxas, Raymund S. Locsin; Dao, Joselito Y. Escutin; Dumalag, Amado Eriberto V. Castro; Dumarao, Leslie Warren A. Benjamin; Ivisan, Felipe Neri N. Yap; Jamindan, Ethel R. Jinon; Mambusao, Jose O. Alba, Jr. (Acting Mayor); Sapian, Arthur John H. Biñas; Sigma, Christopher T.Andaya at Tapaz Rosemarie F. Gardose.
Ang “Tindog Capiz” team ay walang sinayang na relief goods dahil organisada ang pagpamudmod nito di tulad sa Cebu at Tacloban na nagkanda-bulok sa katatago. Get nyo mga suki!. Narito ang mensaheng nila, “A year ago our entire province was directly hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda which took almost the same path that Typhoon Undang took 30 years ago. The former, now known to be the strongest typhoon to have made a landfall, hit the province at 315 km/h, caused the loss of 72 lives, injured almost 3,000, sending almost 35,000 families to almost 1,000 evacuation centers across the province and damage was estimated at almost PhP 9B. The whole province was totally devastated, the face of destruction was unimaginable. Capizeños, however, resilient as they are, wasted no time. As soon as the winds subsided, immediately after Super Typhoon Yolanda left and continued its path of destruction, Capizeños took on the task of rebuilding. The Provincial Government of Capiz immediately ordered the clearing of road networks, ports and airport to make the province and its remotest barangays accessible to all rescue and relief operations. That is the direction that we have to take, a challenge that we have to meet head on. And only the “empowered Capizeño” will have that capability.Capiz is definitely very much back in business and we welcome all those who will assist us achieve our aspiration for a sustainable recovery for an empowered Capizeño!” Hindi po bola-bola kamatis yan mga suki. Mabuhay kayo mga kasimanwa!