Mountain Province volunteers reach out to Yolanda victims

HAPPY WEEKEND

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE -  Support from Mountain Province volunteers move on with individuals giving  clothes and other goods including vegetables for victims of  typhoon  Yolanda which has claimed lives of  3,621 persons; injured 12,165; and got 1,140 individuals missing according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) as of  today November 14.

Bontoc Commercial entrepreneurs are collecting whatever item, food, or cash that can be given at the space near the tennis court in Bontoc. For those who have something to donate, look for Ms AgostoLibang.

Here in Sagada, the Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS) president  BenjaminCalpi  said  SAGGAS volunteers are collecting clothing, vegetables, or  goods that  can be given to the victims  who continue to need food and medical supplies.

Contributions shall be pooled at the SAGGAS office in Daoangan, Sagada or at the Philippine National Police office here in Sagada. Pooled contributions shall be delivered to the victims   on Tuesday through volunteer vehicles.

As support comes from willing donors from Sagada and Bontoc, foreign relief and cash assistance from 23 countries and more joining reached P3.8 billion, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said November 13.  Aid has come in cash, goods, medical supplies, deployment of ships and volunteers for search and rescue operations.

Financial aid was given by Australia, Canada, Denmark, China, Taiwan, Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,  Singapore, Sweden, USA, UK, and  UAE and countries Turkey, Indonesia,  Finland, and German  have given in kind donations.  Belgium, Germany, Hungary Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Turkey, and USA came with medics, rapid response teams, and search and rescue personnel.

With this outpouring support also comes the demand that every centavo that aid countries   given should go to those who need it first and foremost. While  food and food and clean water and  medical supplies are a top need, the next thing to consider is housing.

Disasters hit anytime and could be deadly. Super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) the strongest in 2013  with its devastating  winds and rains slammed  throughout Tacloban City endangering Leyte and Samar, and claimed lives, injured thousands and destroyed property, damaged roads, water  facilities and communication lines.

It’s an unfortunate and pathetic site to see sick children, hungry people, looting individuals,  bloodied, injured and dying people in terribly victimized Tacloban City. Lack of food and water is the common need of the victims and delayed help from the government along with their alibis from the local and national levels again comes to life with their incompetence. LGUs are better reminded  to organize and  coordinate their disaster response teams  to function, function and function when disaster hits.

With CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper saying that government  help has been slow, whatever  support that our Johnny came lately government has delivered is better late than  never  with  DILG Secretary  Mar Roxas saying  support has already reached those who need it.

It is a standing lesson and a standing protocol that disaster response teams should always be on their toes and quick to respond to whatever disaster that hits any place of the country.

While people with their ready and automatic volunteering spirit and action to respond to disaster is automatic,  the LGUs’ disaster risk reduction and management councils need to complement this and support community volunteering initiatives. We refer to the local chief executive and other members- the local department chiefs, the police and other non- government organizations who are members of the disaster response team.   

Disaster response remains to be a top call for any local government unit in this disaster prone country hit with almost any type of disaster- flood, typhoons, landslide, earthquake, fire.

The Tacloban disaster is again another disaster that reminds local government units through their disaster response teams to function responsively much as it is their job to respond and serve their own people. With ready funds available and with a government  system which has the resources, there is no reason not to responsive.

For one, barangay and municipal funds have 5% of their regular budget allotted for disaster management related activities and equipment by virtue of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.  

Said law provides that the minimum 5% allocation “support disaster risk management activities such as, but not limited to pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities, and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance.

Of the amount appropriated for LDRRMF, 30% shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs.” The LDRRMC shall monitor and evaluate the use and disbursement of LDRRMF based on the LDRRMP as incorporated in the local development plans and  annual work and financial plan. And most especially, ready response is a must.