MAKILALA, North Cotabato — Residents suffering from the series of earthquakes in North Cotabato thanked their Governor Nancy Catamco for spending time with them and sharing some blessings from sponsors.
According to residents, Catamco spent time talking with them as they shared measures to cope with the recent devastation caused by the earthquakes which started to hit the province on October 16 and until now, tremors are still felt.
Catamco is visiting every barangay of her province to listen to her constituents hit by series of earthquakes.
Village leader Mamerio Aguanan Jr. of Barangay Luayon who is still living at the evacuation center said they are stilling waiting for advise from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) if they will still be allowed to return to their homes.
Luayon, a remote village of Makilala town has earlier been identified as among the eight barangays declared as “no build zones” following landslides and massive devastation in the area.
“Sa among kalisod ug kawad-on, naa sya sa among kiliran, wala mi niya pasagdi, gani, naminaw siya sa among mulo. Ang iyang presensya makahupay sa among kaguol. Ang iyang pagmahal sa amo, nakahatag namo ug kadasig. Hapit na mi nawadan og paglaum” (In the midst of our hunger and misery, she’s with us, she never left us, she listened to our cry, her presence lightens out burden and her love and compassion inspires us as we almost lost hope), Aguanan shared.
Catamco held a dialogue and later her friends from Northern Mindanao Chamber of Commerce (NMCC), Cotabato Chamber of Commerce, Xavier university, alumni and students, Steag power plant, FDC, Iligan light, Mt Apo foundation arrived and shared ten (10) waterless toilets 10, water drums, hygiene kits, toys and water supplies. While the medical team also examined those children and adults who were suffering from influenza.
In her message, Catamco thanked the 662 families inside the evacuation center, for sticking together and facing the challenge together. “We will rebuild a strong province, we are strong people and we can do it together,” she added.
