Little Help Matters

Five days after the fury of Typhoon Ondoy was experienced here in our country, it seems that we haven’t gotten over it yet. I told myself that given a chance, I want to help, the best way I can. That opportunity came yesterday, first day of the month, when Pagcor asked for volunteers who will bring relief goods on affected areas. I enlisted myself and was assigned as group leader of Team 5.

I woke up at around 2:30 in the morning to prepare my things. Upon arrival at Corporate office, we were quickly briefed on what to do before and during the distribution. We were handed ropes and flashlights just in case the place requires so. We were also given plastics of foods and cases of bottled waters.

My group is composed of 5 members including our driver. Each of the 9 groups was assigned to different places. We dispatched at around 4:30 a.m. going to our first destination in Pasig City. Pineda was our first stop followed by Malinao. These places weren’t affected that much so we just inform them that they can call Pagcor if they need any form of assistance. One of our security guards is also affected. Their house is still submerged in waist- deep water. We gave them additional mineral water since we felt that they badly need clean water. Next stop is the Karangalan Village. We had difficulty finding the target area because no house number was indicated in the list. After almost an hour of circling around the area, we found a bungalow house just about half feet above the street. The owner said that almost half of their house was flooded that they had to transfer to their neighbor across them. Muds greeted us at our next destination, Midtown Village in Cainta, Rizal. According to the people residing in this place, the water was 10 feet deep that most of the houses were buried. We saw Meralco meter bases containing water inside. Model cars were dilapidated. We even saw a taxi cab turned over in front of the gate of a 3 storey house.

Before we left, a phone call was received by one of my member requesting us to save her since we’re already near their residence. We bravely face the strong current going through their subdivision. Unfortunately, only 6x6 or 10-wheeler truck can go through the raging and chest-deep water, not our Toyota Revo. We retreated back and just made a phone call to our office informing that these people were in need of rescue operation.

It was short but meaningful day for us, who in a simple way, has given our time to at least give aid and assistance to the victims. After seeing the damage cause by typhoon Ondoy in flesh, reality struck me that God can get back everything you have in a snap of a finger. In this time of uncertainty, learn to be thankful for all the blessings we got.

My prayer is for all the victims of this tragedy.