CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines–Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
In fact, there are Santa Clauses. And they came not on reindeer-pulled sleighs, but aboard a Philippine Navy ship, Air Force helicopters and Army trucks.
They brought with them relief goods and coffins, good enough as gifts for the thousands of people displaced by Tropical Storm Sendong a week ago.
On Friday evening, BRP Dagupan arrived at the port of Macabalan, with 400 coffins donated from Pampanga, tons of relief goods and thousands of bottled water and canisters. Half of the coffins will be sent to Iligan city.
Lieutenant General Victor Felix, commander of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said that they will assist in the distribution of water containers to the most affected areas that are still without water but whose residents chose not to go to the evacuation centers.
Also on Friday night, a 25-truck convoy from the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City arrived in Cagayan de Oro, bringing with them relief goods.
Eleven of the trucks proceeded to Iligan City.
Major Jacob Obligado, civil-military operations chief of the 10th Infantry Division, said the goods came from all over Southern Mindanao.
“Everyone gave their share in this noble endeavor of helping our severely affected brothers and sisters—from governors to mayors down to habal-habal drivers and vendors. Kids on the streets of Maco (in Compostela Valley Province) contributed their humble share by collecting coins from ordinary people. This is the true spirit of bayanihan,” Obligado said.
In Iligan City, two government helicopters delivered relief goods to the hinterland village of Digkilaan.
Brigadier General Roland Amarelli, deputy commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Tabak Divison, said the helicopters had already transported goods to Digkilaan, but had to stop due to some technical problems.
Amarelli said delivery of relief assistance to upland communities will continue as soon as minor technical adjustments and repair on the choppers were completed.
Two Philippine Navy trucks loaded with assorted relief goods from the military’s Western Mindanao Command also arrived in Iligan City on Saturday.
But at the Cagayan de Oro city hall, where all relief goods are stocked, only a handful officials were present. The relief goods were packed and ready for distribution by Army soldiers and policemen.
Some of the evacuees were waiting for their share of relief goods.
Lito Wapin, project officer of Department of Social Welfare and Development assigned at the Macasandig Elementary School, said each family will receive a special noche buena package consisting of bread, sandwich spread and juice.
“Hopefully, there will be some slices of ham for them to feel the spirit of Christmas,” Wapin said.
“We have so much to be thankful for. We are alive,” said evacuee Angelie Soria of her plan to cook meals for noche buena with whatever relief goods they would get.
“We were all saved. Our neighbors weren’t so lucky,” Soria added.
But for Delfina Ranara, 79, it was the first time in her life that she felt there was no reason to celebrate after she lost everything to the flood.
“It’s as if there’s nothing to celebrate anymore,” Ranara said.
Outside the Macasandig Elementary school, water service has been restored. Many of the evacuees were washing their clothes on Saturday. A mother said she hoped the clothes would dry up fast so that her children would have something to wear to Mass Saturday night.
“We hope to join the Mass tonight. Despite all this, we will get up and move on, that’s the only thing to do,” the mother said.—With a report from Richel V. Umel, Inquirer Mindanao