‘Wall of hope’ comforts Batanes quake victims

TENT CITY Close to 3,000 quake survivors still stay in tents that serve as their temporary shelters a week after twin earthquakes struck Itbayat, Batanes. —Nathan Alcantara

ITBAYAT, BATANES—In the midst of quake ruins in this northernmost town, a wall filled with messages of hope is tugging at the survivors’ heartstrings.

Notes of encouragement hand-carried by Girl Scouts from Batanes National Science High School in Basco town were scrawled on colorful post-it notes and displayed in a bulletin board at the town plaza.

More than 100 heartfelt messages, such as “Ichadlaw a kahilyan, fight (Provincemates, fight),” “Bangon Itbayat (Rise up Itbayat)” and “Trust in God to stand up again,” brought a moment of comfort to the quake victims.

The letters have cheered up close to 3,000 survivors staying at a designated evacuation site in the open plaza, said Jeanet Antolin-Lozano, information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cagayan Valley.

“We are thankful to God for providing us help from others [who are] giving us uplifting messages during this time of disaster,” teacher and quake survivor, Agnes Nico, told the Inquirer.

Residents remain in tents because authorities have yet to allow them to return home, pending the arrival of construction materials for sturdier temporary shelters.

The quakes killed nine people and injured more than 60 others, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

At least 300 aftershocks had been recorded since a 5.4-magnitude quake jolted Itbayat on Saturday dawn, followed by a much stronger 5.9 magnitude.

More than 260 houses in five villages were either completely or partially damaged by the quakes, local officials said.

Gloria Pagulayan, officer in charge of the National Housing Authority in Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region, said the agency was ready to release P5.55 million for quake survivors whose houses were damaged by the quakes.

RISE UP Quake survivors find comfort in heartfelt messages displayed on a wall at the town’s evacuation center. -Nathan Alcantara

Donation drives

Aside from houses, the temblors also damaged roads, two schools, a hospital and a rural health unit.

The Department of Education and various nongovernment organizations have launched the Black Pencil Project for students whose classes have remained suspended since the July 27 tremors.

School officials are appealing for school supplies like pencils, pens, paper and notepads for the town’s 550 elementary and high school students.

For pledges and donations, the project proponents asked individuals and organizations to contact them at [email protected] or follow penciltreks on Twitter or Instagram.

The Batanes State University (BSU) will also launch on Aug. 7 a fun-and-color run event called “Run for fun. Rise as one.” to raise funds for the quake victims.

“Be a pop of color and bring some brightness in the lives of our Kahilyans/Kaydians in Itbayat,” said Alfonso Simon, BSU president.

Local officials and residents have also called on civic-oriented groups and individuals to help Ivatans rebuild their ruined heritage structures.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer is helping extend relief to the families affected by the recent earthquakes in Batanes. Cash donations may be deposited to the Inquirer Foundation Corp.’s Banco De Oro (BDO) current account No. 007960018860. Inquiries may be addressed and emailed to Inquirer’s Corporate Affairs office through [email protected], or call 8978808 local 238 or 352.