Bogo residents slowly recovering from Yolanda

CEBU, Philippines - A month after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the northern part of Cebu some residents of Bogo City said their lives are gradually going back to normal.

 Sharlita Rivero, 37, a resident of Sitio Ibok, Barangay Odlot, Bogo City, said she and her family managed to live and go on with their lives. She said it was very difficult it was after the typhoon.

 "Lisod kaayo, first time pa mi nakasuway nga ing-adto ka kusog ang bagyo. Ang among bag-ong tukod nga balay su’d sa pila ka adlaw nga pagbuhat inutang pa gyud gitumba lang kadali sa bagyo og karun amu na siyang giayo-ayo," she said.

During the storm she and her family took shelter at the house of a neighbor.

 Rivero has five children. She said their family depends only on farming.

 "Uma ra ang among panginabuhian pero nangadaot ang among mga tanom tungod sa bagyo pero karun hinayhinay na nga nahibalik," she added.

 Marivic Bersemo, 42, said their lives are now back to normal although they are living in a shanty after their house was damaged by the typhoon.

 "Mag-antos mi sa kainit ug uwan kay barong-barong raman ang among gipuy-an karon. Lisod gyud kaayo kay nagsalig ra sad mi sa uma ang among tanum nga saging nangadaot," she narrated.

 A month after the typhoon, the sight of children asking for food along the highways of the northern part of Cebu remains a common sight.

 Meanwhile, the Maybank Philippines in partnership with the One Million Lights Philippines last Saturday distributed 50 solar-powered light bulbs to the residents of Barangay Odlot.

The said event was led by its President and CEO Herminio Famatigan Jr.

Odlot barangay captain Emily Juanillo expressed her gratitude to the Maybank through its project HEART for giving her constituents light.

She added that solar-powered light bulb is a great help for her constituents especially those who still have no electricity yet.   (FREEMAN)