Ang Pagiging Catch Basin ng Central Luzon

Oct. 13, '09 - Oct. 14, '09

12:26 am

People in the evacuation centers hardly have any water to wash their clothes and some came with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  I thought I was leaving for Manila earlier but it's hard to do so when you see a band of women working together for a cause. The YAKAP Projects members were kept busy sorting clothing and slippers donated by various people from Manila and Paniqui.  We used Vice Mayor Gin Linsao's office as a sorting area.  We were amidst donated clothing and slippers.  Camaraderie and fellowship achieved at the tail end of this situation is an ironic thing.  Today we must thank once more who supplemented to the Munisipyo's relief goods. 

As always, Congreswoman Nikki Teodoro, DND Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Philippine National Red Cross, GMA Kapuso Foundation,PNP, Tarlac Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Senator Noynoy Aquino, Senator Mar Roxas, APO and Rotary Club of Northern Tarlac has given their assistance through our MSWD.  This evening ABS-CBN Kapamilya came bearing bags of goods as well.  Concerned Paniquenians gave to various evacuation centers directly like ex vice-mayor Alan Roxas, ex-mayor Elpidio Ibarra, Kagawad OkiDok Gaculais, Delta Com and a few businessmen who would rather remain anonymous.  Kagawads Belarmino and Tayag had plans of buying bread to be distributed through the Munisipyo.  Lourdes C. Rivilla and Dra. Suey R. Manalastas gave bread for the rescue team consisting of reservists and social workers.

Mayor Dors C. Rivilla met with his key people on after evacuation measures.  We have children whose heads and chests are dotted with boils and "tigdas", adults and children alike have cough or colds and fungus.  Medicinal aid has to be administered to them and our own Dra. Miguel has been getting very little sleep.  In Sta. Ines alone she stayed until 4 am attending to a long line of evacuees who wanted a check up.  Thankfully, a private organization will be coordinating with Mayor Dors about holding a medical mission.  He stayed late in the office mulling over the relief goods.  The evacuees have been eating sardines, noodles and rice these past four days he feels it's time to change things up a bit.  It was rather difficult since other alternatives seemed over the budget which he will have to stretch until the water levels go down. Rain poured down for a short while this afternoon which certainly did not help.  I wonder about employing the pamahiin of offering eggs to the church.

An updated list of evacuees:

Salomague 1,126 people (252 families)
San Isidro  1,218 people (306 families)
Sitio Balsa  572 people (155 families)
Canan         332 people (98 families)
Pob. N Maligaya 303 people (78 families)
Pob. N Caturay    28 people (9 families)
Tablang                 71 people (23 families)
Estacion       172 people (49 families)
Apulid         569 people (183 families)
Samput          44 people (10 families)
Sta. Ines        252 people (162 families)
Matalapitap   297 people (98 families)
Abogado       49 people (12 families)

Total of 5,344 people still in evacuation centers. 
 

Oct. 12, '09

as of 7:02 pm

We were going to call it a night at around 1:30 a.m. when we receive a call that DND Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro was going to pay a visit to Paniqui.  He wanted to check the evacuation centers and see how the people were doing.  Upon hearing that the most of the centers were impassable by land vehicles it was advised that he visit Paniqui South.  He also took a look at the number of evacuees submitted by our MSWD.  They responded this morning by sending relief goods and milk through the MSWD.  They are sorting it as I type this.  Board Member Rommel David also distributed pancit early this morning to the different centers.  This morning past vice mayor Alan Roxas also went to Paniqui South and other homes to distribute rice.  Ex-mayor Elpidio Ibarra has been waking up early in the morning this past 2 days to distribute pan de sal. 

Paniqui South Principal Noel Linsao reported that there was a feeding program courtesy of the PTA of St. Vincent.  There was also a distribution of soap from the DepEd to the 100 people (206 families).  DeltaCom is cooking sotanghon for the evacuees of Paniqui South right now.

Vice Mayor Gin Linsao has been going around visiting different centers again.  They reported that the number of families in Canan rose from 74 to 98 (unverified by MSWD).  They requested clothing, blankets and an extension cord.  YAKAP Projects have been able to gather old clothing which they will be sorting through tomorrow.  Some families in Canan have refused to go to the evacuation centers for lack of space. San Isidro and Bakaw remain impassable due to the water levels.  Mayor (I keep forgetting to add his title) Dors went to visit the flooded areas again today.  The children had smiles on their faces as he allowed them to buy snacks from the sari-sari stores.  Gov. Vic Yap met up with him paying Paniqui a visit to check the situation and see crop damage.  Some evacuation centers bade goodbye to some families only to say hello to new batches. 

We received word that another group of concerned citizens whose roots are from Paniqui will be coming from Manila this weekend to help us out.  Different districts of Rotary Clubs in Tarlac have given Mayor Dors a call scheduling their relief goods distribution.  I sign out tonight as I have to go back to Manila to gather more old clothes and goods donated by our friends from the southern part of Manila.  

Oct. 12, '09 

As of 12:11 a.m. Apulid number of evacuees climb to 135 families.

Oct. 11, '09

Dors brought me home at around 3:00 a.m. thinking I should go ahead and rest.  He would be doing one more round, head on home and try to catch some sleep.  At 6:30 a.m. his phone blurted out alert messages and the cycle starts once more.  He couldn't catch a glimpse of sleep as the phone kept ringing.  I would listen to him answer the concerns of those who called and already guessed how our day would go.  At around 7:30 my phone probably got a bit jealous and started joining in as well.  So much information came in during the day and it still comes.

Right now  I decide to start with the good news.  GMA 7 came to provide Paniquenian evacuees with goods which to their joy included soap other than the staple sardines, instant noodles and rice.  Congresswoman Nikki Teodoro remembered Paniqui once more and sent in additional financial help.  Being a mother she never forgot to send milk for the babies.  The Rotary Club of Northern Tarlac distributed goods this morning.  The Philippine National Red Cross also sent in their assistance once more and the Youth Alliance Philippine Young Leaders brought in relief packages that included toothpaste. 

The Mayors of the 1st district have been in touch, checking in on each other's Municipalities not to ruminate but to anticipate how the water will flow from one's area of responsibility to another. Moral support can come in just by a text message or a phonecall.   Gov. Vic Yap sent out a message to all the mayors mentioning the possibilities of crop insurance and studying flood patterns, something I wish I could just sit in for. We have a leader who is not only seeing to the present situation but already looking ahead of this calamity.  Dra. Isabel Suntay and her mother Auntie Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay were coming to distribute relief goods to some baranggays.  Dors left, did his rounds and came back for lunch with his shorts and legs wet.  We were told by his sister Dra. Suey Manalastas that she will be giving trays of bread for the tireless rescue workers (reservists and social workers).  A dinner of arroz caldo and goto would also be a good change from their usual diet of rice and sardines these past few days.  Our rescue workers need energy we shouldn't forget them.

We leave after lunch for another inspection and headed towards Sitio Balsa across the highway from San Isidro around 2 p.m.  Sitio Balsa just like Sta. Ines is built on a tramo.  The road is higher than the houses and with the sudden rush of water, the inhabitants moved their belongings up on the pavement.  Our truck waded in across the bridge and if it weren't a calamity, you'd think there was a street party going on there.  Sadly that is not the case. Some homes have water until chest level and it is starting to emit an unfavorable odor. Bamboo beds lined the small road with people resting on it, looking warily at the lake that has formed right across them.  The women cook on "kalans" using rice husks and firewood.  Men were chopping up bamboo to use as support for the tolda Madam Elisa has requested for temporary roofing over their heads.  When Dors told them that there was more tolda coming in, they applauded. They lit up with hope as Dors walked in, his mere presence giving them reassurance that they are not forgotten.  We were about to go when Dors receives a call that UN volunteers have chosen to help out Sitio Balsa.  They came within 30 mins. with Madam Luz Lopez of the Department of Health as their guide.  Their questions all revolved on how the people survive on normal circumstances as well as situations like these.  We were about to leave when Dors got a call that the Isabel Suntay Tandem is coming. He decides to stay and shooed me off to Paniqui South to make sure that the UN volunteers would be alright.

Sadness set in as I stepped in Paniqui South.  The number of evacuees has been steadily growing  as those from Tablang, Poblacion Norte (Sitio Basio, Maligaya and Caturay) and Coral come in.  Most of them came with very little on them as the flood took them by surprise.  There are many babies with boils on their heads and chests crying from discomfort.  A woman who is past her due date is also there.  The farmers were interviewed by Mariko from the UN and despite the smiles on their faces, you can see despair in their eyes.  They are safe right now but I fear that once they get home they may not be able to hold it together.  Thankfully medical issues are ably addressed by the Municipals Birthing Home, HRMO and the Provincial Hospital thanks to Dr. Ric Ramos.

Updated number of evacuees as submitted to us by Agnes and Eugene of the MSWD:

Salomague 1,126 people (252 families)
San Isidro  1,218 people (306 families)
Sitio Balsa    562 people (152 families)
Canan             80 people (268 families)
Poblacion Norte 800 people (167 families)
Estacion 166 people (46 families)
Apulid    312 people (98 families)
Samput   37 people (9 families)
Sta. Ines  1,666 people (410 families)
Matalapitap  225 people (54 families)
Abogado      534 people (113 families)

Vice Mayor Gin Linsao who just finished doing her inspection called to inform us that water leaving San Isidro is seeping slowly into the bayan.  The water level in Karapdapan across Velasco is now rising.  The water level is also rising in Apulid coming from San Isidro as well.  We are anticipating water traveling from one barangay to another without it lessening in volume due to the dams release.  She relayed to me a heartwarming story though.  The people of Poblacion Norte decided to give it's fiesta fund to help out the evacuees situated in Paniqui South.  A card has been passed around amongst the evacuees signing their names to thank those who have given them relief.  In the midst of uncertainty and suffering you will always find warmth and kindness.  My husband has fallen asleep on the lawanit bench in his office.  Trying to catch some rest before the rescue team consisting of reservists social workers come in to give their reports.  It would be a nice change if he wakes up to good news.

posted 10:55 pm

Oct. 10, '09

The day turned into  night and with most habits of nature, that is when everything goes to rest.
The rains have stopped however  barangay of Sta. Ines is being infiltrated by water. The rescue team consisted of the reservists and social workers have been there since this morning helping evacuees.  As of now the 413 families have been moved to the center, the highest number evacuated since Mayor has started the rescue mission.
Sta. Ines is a long narrow stretch in the eastern side of Paniqui. Houses were built by what we popularly call the 'riles'.  On the other side of the riles is what they call 'tramo' and it dips about two feet leading into an expanse of about 500 meters. 

Sta. Ines in english is St. Agnes, patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims, and virgins.  St. Agnes was of Roman Nobility being forced to marry the son of the Prefect Sampronius.  Agnes' refusal to do so condemned her to death and was ordered to be punished and beheaded.  Dragged naked to a brothel to be abused by men as she prayed, her hair grew to cover her naked body.  Men who attempted to rape her were supposedly struck blind. There were several stories on how she perished but the result was all the same, she died chaste, her virginity intact.

The water in Sta. Ines now gushes towards the Tramo as it dips away from the homes of those residing in the barangay as if protecting it's inhabitants.  Additionally, Canan has now 78 families evacuated and Estacion 40.  Everyone's fervent prayer is that there will be no casualties and that we come out of this with lessons learned and a hope that we can keep up with the growing number of evacuees.

I write this as my husband is in his office speaking to the reservists and making sure that the people in charge of evacuation are on their toes. Let a cloak of protection embrace us.  May the strength of our leaders and people bring us out of this difficult situation with very little damage.

We beg the people's understanding with regards to the scheduled distribution of the goods.  There is a need to regulate distribution of the relief goods to protect those who are truly in need and keep away those who are merely taking advantage of the calamity we are in.

Segueway: Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas passed by this afternoon to bring relief goods.  UERM has sent their residents to help out with those who needed medical attention in the evacuation centers.  The office of Gov. Vic Yap sent in assistance through basic medications.  I am sure the people will appreciate all that you are doing.

As of 1:27 am: MANAOIS water level now going up.  SAMPUT 14 families have been evacuated

Oct. 10, '09 (morning)

I know that Filipinos are supposed to be hospitable but visitors like Ondoy and Peping have overstayed and are creating so much harm.  Paniqui, Moncada, Ramos, Anao, Urdaneta and other areas in Pangasinan feel the ravages of the latest typhoons.

As of 930 am, October 10, 2009 below is the number of evacuees we have along with their location:  Bakaw 957 people (210 families); San Isidro 1218 people (306 families); Del Valle 127 people (28 families); Paniqui South 27 people (6 families); Maligaya Poblacion Norte 32 people (6 families); Basio Poblacion Norte 168 people (35 families); Tablang  31 people (7 families); TARNAVOC 166 people (48 families); and Apulid 386 people (126 families)

I can't say that we are not remiss on assistance.  Congresswoman Nikki Teodoro visited the other afternoon to check on the condition of the evacuation center and evacuees.  Philippine National Red Cross sent in relief goods yesterday as well.  We feel the presence of the NDCC as they continously coordinate with our Mayor.  The Reservists and the Air Force has done a good share in helping evacuees. Thank you to our friends in Manila who have sent in their donations.  Dito ko masasabi ang sarap talaga ng may barkada.

Forgive me if this is short but my husband and I haven't slept much these past nights and we are tired.  I am in Manila gathering relief goods (mostly old clothes) to bring to Paniqui and will try to catch some sleep on the trip back. More later. - Anna Varona Rivilla