Quake victims thank volunteers, gov’t for support

Several local government units like that of Davao City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Baguio City, Cebu City, among others have also sent chunks of their budgets to aid the victims in Cotabato. (File Photo: Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA — Residents of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, who were hard hit by the series of earthquakes recently, have thanked all those who assisted them.

TJ Paguirigan Gomez from Magsaysay, Davao del Sur uploaded on social media photos of her family and relatives, raising signages with words, “Daghang salamat (Many thanks), salamat sa tabang (Thanks for the help), and thanks for the love”.

“Not [anymore] waving for help, waving to say thanks for helping our kababayan,” she wrote.

Wyeth Embodo also shared the photo of a cheerful man in Cotabato after receiving grocery packs and water from a private donor.

Karina Canedo, a resident of Makilala in North Cotabato whose house collapsed after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake of October 29, said social media have been a “very good tool” in sending the message out.

“Facebook sort of made these donations come because everyone can see what happened with us here online. The media helped too, but if it was just on TV and not posted on social media, the amount of help wouldn’t be as much,” she said in an interview on Friday.

“Our recovery would never have become this fast-paced if not for the many help that came from various government agencies like army and police, DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], private groups, and individuals. Thank you very much,” she added.

Donations from Good Samaritans poured

On November 3, more than 600 inmates from Surigao City Jail decided to cut their regular allowance and accumulated 30 sacks of rice that they wanted to be given to Mindanao residents who were badly hit by recent earthquakes.

Davao City-based influencer Chito Samontino also encouraged his friends to donate. A popular gamer by the name of Chooks TV also collected stars from live streaming his plays to be monetized and be sent to the victims.

Actress Angel Locsin has also made headlines for going to Mindanao to buy and distribute relief goods for the people of Davao del Sur.

In early November, the Philippine Army personnel have donated part of their meal allowance for November to aid victims. The Philippine Air Force also airlifted the relief operations coming from their headquarters in the National Capital Region to reach affected communities.

Several local government units like that of Davao City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Baguio City, Cebu City, among others have also sent chunks of their budgets to aid the victims in Cotabato.

Tulunan Vice Mayor Maureen Villamor also recently thanked Mandaue City through Mayor Jonas Cortes and the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod for the cash assistance of PHP1 million for Tulunan.

“They gave a total of PHP8 million for all the affected municipalities in our province,” she said.

North Cotabato Governor Lala Talino Mendoza also thanked everyone who has not only sent financial aid but for the search and rescue operations when a landslide covered some houses in the province.

“Thank you very much and as of now, we are still consolidating the list [of those who reached out] because there are really many so we can pass it to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for accounting and transparency,” she said in a text message.