By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
TODAY is exactly two months since Typhoon “Odette” clouted southern Negros Occidental on Dec. 16 last year.
However, most of the victims in Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan, and Sipalay (CHICKS) area are still in “quandary” how to start anew. Losing a house ain’t an easy fate. It’s tantamount to losing everything.
Thanks to Capitol’s “Rebuild & Restore” (R&R) program which gives out six G.I. corrugated and two G.I. plain sheets per affected family within the CHICKS area. Though not enough, the victims were “happy” still.
Why?
Seeing Gov. Bong Lacson in person distributing these housing materials per locality is more than enough for typhoon victims to cast new hope. For them, the governor’s mere appearance is a “beacon” and “comfort assurance” amid uncertainties.
Yes, I am with the governor in an R&R mission in Hinoba-an, Ilog and Cauayan since last month to last week. I saw candid faces of “Odette” victims. I talked to some. Heard them whine.
Can’t help but empathize. Their very “cry”: Help! Truly pitiable! But wait, there’s a sort of consolation. Every time they saw the mestizo-looking governor on stage, some exclaim in Hiligaynon: “Salamat, ginbisitahan n’ya kami.”
For them, Gov. Lacson is like an “artista” that could bring them more hopefulness. Many in Cauayan, Ilog and Hinoba-an towns didn’t see him in person yet. So, every time the governor speaks on stage, they listen carefully.
Alas, the governor ain’t an eloquent speaker. Instead, he delivers his piece straight to the point sans elaborations and codicils. But for a woman victim-turned-beneficiary in Barangay Isio, Cauayan town, “It is more than a blessing to hear the governor’s voice.”
“At least ari siya! May dala man o wala basta nakita n’ya ang amon sitwasyon kag nakita siya namon sa personal, okay na kami.” she quipped.
Thus, unknown to the governor, his very stately presence in typhoon-devastated villages in the CHICKS area is, somehow, touching lives. Such imposes a redeemed dignity among typhoon victims who felt there’s no more hope after “Odette”. And it’s a kind of dignity that challenges them to move on, to hope, and to live life anew.
Beyond the material things, every word coming out from the governor’s mouth (really) matters to typhoon victims. And for them, each word means optimism to stand still amid challenges.
VP LENI, TOO
Like Gov. Lacson, Vice President Leni Robredo was also “beyond praise” for visiting the CHICKS area twice already. First, was on Dec. 21, 2021, just five days after typhoon Odette’s landing.
Along with the “Queen of all Media” Kris Aquino, VP Leni brought relief packs to typhoon victims in Kabankalan, Himamaylan and Hinigaran.
In her second landing (Feb.5), she distributed shelter starter kits for victims in Sipalay and Cauayan.
“Alam ko maliliit lang na tulong ito. Pero kahit papano, makakaga-an ito ng saloobin n’yo. Alam ko di sapat ito. Pero kahit paano makakatulong tayo,” the Vice President told Sipalaynons and Cauayanons.
Yes, it was a short message but, then again, such was a message of hope and assurance coming from the heart. Anyways, beyond touching lives, Gov. Lacson’s and VP Leni’s presence also “heals” the typhoon-ravaged communities in southern Negros. And it’s a one-of-kind “ministry” truly estimable.
What they’re doing can be likened to a biblical story about Jesus Christ’s healing mission that also went further in touching people’s live s at the deepest level of their existence. Motivating and, at the same time, supporting the “powerless” in putting them in the right direction in spite of the current messiness, is a noteworthy act.
Thus, the governor is right. Though COVID-19 hit him after an R&R mission in Hinobaa-an last month, still he armed himself with optimism to survive the infection at a very fast way so he can continue leading the noble mission in other localities.
Duty-wise, yes, he is legally and morally compelled to do so. And the governor really needs to see the real situations on the grounds. After all, it’s a totally different experience for a leader like him who truly cares about his ill-fated flock.
‘SAGING’ IS LIFE
Meanwhile, it’s quite intriguing, too, to also see the governor distributing banana seedlings to typhoon victims.
At first, I asked myself: Why? Quite unique but, perhaps, weird! Typhoon victims’ immediate needs: food, beddings, hygiene kits, housing materials and cash. But to give them banana seedlings, it is as if “duh!”
So, in a press conference in Hinoba-an, I asked the governor: Why saging?
Laconically, his reply: “For food security.”
It took me days to process the matter. Then, I realized that there’s a biblical story about the 16-year-old Ezra. Ezra’s father taught him how to fish at the very young age. Unexpectedly, Ezra’s father suddenly died, leaving him with the biggest responsibility to take care and feed the entire family through fishing. Then, the famous phrase was born: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
So, like Ezra’s true to life story, the governor also wants every typhoon victim in the CHICKS area to also start living anew even with just one banana seedling. He wants them to value the planting and propagating bananas in their own backyard ‘till they bear fruits.
Per research, banana can grow from the poorest to the richest type of soul with varying success. Likewise, it’s suitable both in wetlands and hilly areas with no land preparation(s) needed.
As to its health benefits to humans, banana, according to www.healthxchange.sg, is rich in Vitamin B6 and fiber. Banana is also an instant energy booster, added www.food.ndtv.com.
Above all, at the height of any disastrous event, ripe or unripe, banana fruits can help feed people. Thus, the very gist of Gov. Lacson’s gesture in distributing thousands of banana seedlings to typhoon victims is laudable.
Thanks to Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural development Foundation, Inc. (NISARD) for this one-of-a-kind concept. Because ang saging – may bagyo man o wala- is life.
In sum, good job, Gov. Bong! Just continue saturating the CHICKS area to further touch the lives of the many typhoon victims. Unknowingly, your presence motivates them to be resilient and hopeful as always.
Remember that even the Bible (in Ezra 10:04) says, “Get up, for it is your duty to deal with this matter; we will support you. Be strong and act.”/PN
