MANILA, Philippines—Nearly unscathed by Typhoon “Pepeng,” communities in the Bicol region that had feared disaster from the new storm pounced on the chance to continue helping victims of Tropical Storm “Ondoy” in Metro Manila and Rizal province.

Residents of Albay from all walks of life, groups, private firms, local radio and TV stations, schools and local government units are launching a caravan to help Ondoy victims.

“Though Bicolanos are also poor we want to repay the kindheartedness of the Manila people after Supertyphoon ‘Reming’ battered our province (in 2006),” said Annie Sumanga who organized the ‘Ako Bikol Taraqbangan 2009.’

She said participants in the caravan would pick up goods from all radio stations and municipalities in the province as the caravan winds its way to Metro Manila.

Sumanga said the Ako Bikol is equipped with eight dump trucks, two loaders, two boom trucks, two fire trucks, a wing van, L-300 vans and other service vehicles.

The pay loaders and dump trucks would be used to help dredge muddy areas in Metro Manila, she said.

Sumanga said Sunwest, a power company, donated P1 million in cash and bought coco lumber, blankets, pails, soft brooms, mats, mineral water and used clothing.

Disaster experts

Albay province earlier deployed volunteers composed of health, emergency and rescue experts to Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Used to keeping watch on Mayon volcano, which is now on Alert Level 2, the experts shared their knowledge on disaster preparedness and rescue.

Gov. Joey Salceda said Saturday the group will continue to help Ondoy victims especially now that Albay was spared from Pepeng.

Water health and disaster management teams—initially composed of nine men from the Provincial Health Office, 12 Army officers, three personnel from the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo) and three officials from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development—are now extending help to areas in Quezon City, said Abundio Nuñez Jr., Apsemo plans and operations division chief.

Water

Aside from medical help, the Albay team continues to provide water through a water purifying machine, which was donated by the Spanish government to Albay after Reming.

The machine produces potable water at 32,000 liters per hour, said Salceda.

He said the team has served some 5,931 persons in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Lawyers affiliated with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Bicol and the Catholic Church, through its social action arm, also gave a hand.

Auxiliary Bishop Lucilo Quiambao, of the Archdiocese of Legazpi, said Albay had been recipient of so much generosity and love from people all over the world after Supertyphoons “Milenyo” and Reming in 2006.

“It is but proper and fitting that we return the favor now that we are given the opportunity to heed Christ’s teaching to help our neighbors in need,” said the bishop.

A hat was passed around employees of the car manufacturing firm Toyota Autoparts Phils (TAP) Inc., in the village of Pulong Sta. Cruz in Sta Rosa City, Laguna, for Ondoy victims.

Workers

A minimum of P100 was asked from the workers which would be deducted from their salary in the next payday, said Ervie Rodriguez, corporate social responsibility coordinator of the firm.

As of Friday many already gave an average of P300 each.

TAP’s target collection is P300,000.

At least 14,951 families, mostly living along the lake shores, were left devastated by the flood in Sta. Rosa City alone. Rey M. Nasol and Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon