The Philippine Red Cross, the foremost humanitarian organization in the country, supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, distributed more than P5 million in unconditional cash grant to more than a thousand Typhoon “Lando”-affected families in Nueva Ecija.
PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon said a one-time cash assistance of P3,500 each was extended to some 1,545 families in 12 different barangays in the Nueva Ecija municipalities of Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur and Palayan City.
“Kahit ngayong Kapaskuhan, nandito kami sa Nueva Ecija para tulungan ang mga nasalanta ng mga dumaang bagyo gaya ng Lando, Nona at iba pa. Yung bibigay namin ngayon sa tulong ng IFRC ay para matulungan sila to meet some of their immediate needs. Nauna na tayong nagbigay ng relief na may lamang food and non-food items,” Gordon said.
“Ang pangunahing pakay ng Red Cross ay maiahon ang paghihirap ng tao, that is to alleviate human suffering, kaya naman we reach out to the most vulnerable para matulungan sila. Ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan, habang tayo ay masayang nagdiriwang, yung mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyo ay salat na salat. Kaya layunin naming kahit papaano ay maibsan ang kanilang paghihirap,” he added.
The distribution was held at the Bongabong Municipal Gymnasium in Bongabong from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. last Tuesday, Dec. 29. The activity was facilitated by the PRC through the Nueva Ecija Chapter. Gordon led the distribution together with Patrick Elliot, IFRC head of operations; former Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, chairman of the PRC Nueva Ecija board of directors, former Vice Gov. Edward Thomas F. Joson; vice chairman, of the PRC Nueva Ecija BOD; and Elena M. Ladignon, chapter administrator. Local officials of the municipalities also attended including Bongabon Mayor Allan Xystus Gamilla and councilors.
Beneficiaries included families from the following barangays: in Bongabon—Kaingin, Labi, Palomaria, and San Roque; in Gabaldon—Bagting, Calabasa, Malinao, Tagumpay, and Bugnan; in Laur—San Fernando, and San Vicente; and Sapang Buho in Palayan City.
For their part, the beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude as they bared their plans on where the cash grant will be allotted for. One of them said he will use it to seek medical attention, while another will use for the necessities in her household that were washed away by the flood as well as share the money with her daughter who was also affected by the typhoon.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa natanggap kong pera, makakatulong po ito sa aking pamilya. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa bumubuo ng Red Cross, malaking tulong po ito dahil pampagawa ko ito ng bahay at pambili ng gamit ng aking anak na baby. At ako ay nagpapasalamat sa Chairman ng Red Cross na si Richard Gordon,” a certain Genalyn said.
“Sa inabot po namin ay akala namin kamatayan na namin dahil sa laki ng tubig na umabot po sa bahay namin. Mga kasangkapan namin, mga gamit namin sa pagkain, lahat, nawala po sa amin. Kaya ako po ay nagpapasalamat kay Senator Gordon dahil sa napakalaking tulong na ito, marami syang natutulungan na gaya kong walang asawang katulong. Maraming-marami pong salamat. Dito sa natanggap kong tulong ang una ko pong gagawin, yung mga kaldero at mga plato kong nawala, papalitan ko at yung anak kong nabaha rin tutulungan ko, pati mga damit naming naanod,” said Anita Villa of San Roque.
Recently, when Nona hit Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and 12 other provinces, the PRC conducted relief operations, distributing food packs good for 2-3 days ration, ready to eat food packs, bottled water, non-food items such as plastic mats, blankets, tarpaulins, jerry cans, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits. Earlier, when Lando ravaged Northern and Central Luzon, the PRC also conducted rescue operations as well as relief operations.