“Naningkamot gyud mi nga makatabang sa mga panginahanglan sa mga biktima ug naningkamot mi nga matagaan silag tingog sa ilang mga nasinati sa baha” — Sister Noemi Degala, secretary general of Balsa Mindanao
By IRENE V. DAGUDOG
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Nuns leading a citizen-led movement for disaster response and climate justice advocacy have been responding to the needs of flood-affected areas here since Sunday, January 20.
“Naningkamot gyud mi nga makatabang sa mga panginahanglan sa mga biktima ug naningkamot mi nga matagaan silag tingog sa ilang mga nasinati sa baha,” said Sister Noemi Degala, secretary general of Balsa Mindanao.
Degala, a nun from the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, along with other nuns from the Religious of Virgin Mary, Benedictine Sisters, Marist Sisters, Marist Missionary Sisters and Charles Borromeo Sisters distributed over 3,100 meal packs in Waan, Gravahan, Tigatto, Bankerohan, 5A and Buhangin Gym.
The group launched a feeding mission that served 400 residents of Matina Gravahan, one of the inundated communities near the Davao river.
The beneficiaries of the soup kitchen temporarily stayed at the University of Mindanao Matina Gym. The next day, on January 21, Balsa Mindanao served 450 other residents from Waan, one of the 15 villages under state of calamity.
“Luoy kaayo mi kay kung wala mi na-rescue kagahapon (Enero 20) sa bangka patay gyud mi. Nagtubo ang dakong sapa unya ang diri sa amoang kilid sa Waan nagdungan og tubo anang gabie (sa Enero 19),” said Neneng Ticson, 52, a resident of Purok 3, Waan village.
As of January 21, 9AM, there were a total of 1,023 families with 3,605 dependents affected in purok 1 to 5, 7 and Sto. Niño, data from the City Social Service and Development Office noted.
“Kinahanglan nga i-advice gyud nga temporary lang sila didto mopuyo,” said village captain, Macabayao Adapan. He added that they have to look for other places for short-term relocation.
The village captain said they expect another flooding worse than what happened in 2002 when his village was inundated with floodwaters. “Nasegundahan napod karun. There’s a big possibility nga mausab, bigger pa,” he said.
“Magtinabangay ta nga mapaabot sa gobyerno ang mga issue kung nganong nag-abot gyud ning baha nga bisag walay dakong ulan dinhi sa Davao,” Degala of Balsa Mindanao said.
Balsa Mindanao’s initiative was seconded by a resident here.
“Kanang naga-abuso sa atong kinaiyahan dapat hunongan nila na, kay bisan kami nga naa sa ubos nga mag-uuma nagatanom pa man gani og mga kahoy aron protektahan unta sila pod dili pod mag-abuso,” appealed Antonio Mansia, 43, a resident of Purok 9.
According to Valente Turtur, Officer-In-Charge of the City Agriculturist Office, 50 farms were affected in Waan, covering 35 hectares. Forty farmer-households were affected.
Damaged crops include sweetcorn, egpplant, saluyot (corchorus),
“Para dili ta makatilaw og sobrang trahedya, unta hunungon na nila ang pag-abuso sa kinaiyahan, kay pait kayo. Kita man tanan ang maperwisyo di lang kay isa kun dili pangkinatibuk-an kutob abuton sa tubig maigo,” emphasized Mansia.
Meanwhile, Balsa Mindanao said they will continue with their feeding mission.
“Nagbudget ang grupo kung unsay makaya. I-identify namo kung asa na mga lugar ang among serbisyohan, according sa ma-feed namo,” noted Degala, adding that “nanginahanglan mi og daghang mga pilantropo aron magtabang sa amo og deliver og services sa mga area dili lang sa Waan apan sa tanang apektado nga lugar sa Davao.” (Irene V. Dagudog/davaotoday.com)
