2 typhoon-hit Mt Province towns get aid from gun tilt

BAGUIO CITY--Two typhoon-affected barangays in the Mountain Province got an initial P70,000 cash aid from proceeds of the shootfest headed by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

 PCOO Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael said last week Barangays Balangao in Natonin town and Lias in Barlig town received P70,000 each from the proceeds of the 1st Asec. Marie Rafael Cup Shoot for a Cause on Jan. 5 and 6 at the Police Regional Office-Cordillera shooting range.

 She said the turnover was done with Rohel Bilibli of the Metro Baguio Practical Shooting Association and Wilbur Fernando of Shilan Shooters Inc. and other club officers.

 The cash aid was received by Balangao Barangay Captain Conrado Limangan and Lias Association President Cirilo Batan and elder William Forosan in a simple turn-over event in Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet.

 Limangan, Batan and Forosan thanked the organizers and the donors for the money which will be used to repair the irrigation systems that were destroyed at the height of Typhoon Rosita on Oct. 30, 2018.

Paracelis, Natonin and Barlig were devastated by “Rosita”, leaving scores of people dead and damages on infrastructure.

“To help our 'kailians' (townmates), the fund-raising event was proposed and organized by the shooting enthusiasts from Mountain Province to raise funds for our brothers and sisters,” Rafael said.

Meanwhile, Rafael said more communities will receive financial support through the event to help ensure that the lives and the livelihood of those affected will continue.

"This is also a way to call for support and encourage more donors and kind-hearted individuals and groups to pour in [donations] for the recovery of the typhoon-affected areas in Mountain Province," she said.

As early as the second day after “Rosita” left the Philippine area of responsibility, Rafael, along with officers of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Philippine News Agency, traveled for 11 hours to reach neighboring town Paracelis and walked for at least five hours traversing unstable grounds to reach the area where the major landslide in Natonin that killed several Public works and highway employees happened.

"We will continue with the fundraising to help our townmates. The fun shoot is just the initial activity but we intend to continue getting aid for our people,” Rafael said. -- PNA