And so, this would be a “powerless” new year for most of Marinduqueños who would be spending their New Year without electricity, or homes, or enough food and water after typhoon Nina hit the province before this year had ended.
Joseph Israel Laban, a Marinduqueño film director based in Manila, took their concerns and needs to Facebook, noting the lack of concrete help from the national government during the first three days.
Laban was one of the people who mobilized the community in the province and Manila for donations in seeking help for the typhoon-wrought community.
In his recent comment to a post by Secretary Taguiwalo on Facebook, he noted there were gaps in terms of data assessment on the real condition of the province and actual distribution of supplies.
“That’s just unacceptable. For the first three days, they were not able to help the people recover.
There are still areas which have not yet received help like the islands of Maniwaya, and Mongpong. People are going hungry for five days,” Laban, on his Facebook comment,” said.
In an interview with Inquirer, Laban said the province would be needing more food supplies, long-term rehabilitation support, and repairs for schools,” Laban added.
Designer and events stylist Rob Palustre, who has been there since the height of Typhoon Nina, noted the lack of help for the victims until now.
Palustre said aside from losing their homes and the destroyed crops, citizens who are from the far side of Marinduque also do not have power supply and had to go to the city to recharge cellphones and other gadgets.
A Dec. 28 Facebook post from the Marinduque Electric corporation (Marelco) said they has just restored their main line in Boac, but said it would be impossible to bring back the power in the whole of Marinduque soon.
The Marelco also encouraged Marinduque electricity subscribers to pay their bills in order to speed up the restoration of the power system.
Taguiwalo, in the same announcement, said they have already sent additional help last Dec. 28, including 5000 food packs, blankets, mosquito nets and other needs.
Apart from Marinduque, other 18 provinces were affected by the typhoon.
Red Cross appeals for help
Earlier, the humanitarian organization Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has also appealed for donations to help the affected families and communities affected by Typhoon Nina in the 18 provinces.
According to the Philippine Red Cross report from PRC’s Operations Center which sourced its data from several assessment teams deployed in the area, typhoon Nina affects 1,612 barangays or 100,075 families at posting time.
Typhoon Nina, meanwhile, destroyed a total of 110,008 houses and several health facilities, schools, agriculture, livelihood, and roads.
According to the PRC led by Chair Senator Richard Gordon, the donations will cover the cost of the relief operations and provision of food items such as hot meals and ready-to-eat meals, and nonfood items such as blankets, plastic mats, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, jerry cans and tarpaulins.
The PRC will also provide psychosocial support and restoring family links services, health and hygiene programs to affected families.
In a statement, the PRC said it will also establish water stations though donated water bladders and tankers in communities and evacuation centers to provide access to clean water.
To those who are interested to extend a hand through the PRC, cash donations may be deposited in any of the following PRC bank accounts:
BDO Peso Account – 00-453190938
BDO Dollar Account – 10-4530039482
Metrobank Peso Account – 151-7-1552434-2
Metrobank Dollar Account – 151-2-15100218
Donations may also be sent to the PRC Tower, 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, or in any of the PRC chapters nationwide.
Call 790-2300 local 807 and 826, and look for Joy Materum, Ma. Rizza Genil or Shervi Corpuz for details.
Recent assistance
So far, around 3700 individuals were provided with hot meals and food items and 100 individuals were provided aid by welfare services, such as psychosocial support. PRC also immediately provided assistance to the affected areas through water search and rescue, clearing and relief operations, first aid support and hygiene promotions. CDG