MISAMIS ORIENTAL (July 4) —– The City Mayor and the municipal council of Naawan on Monday (July 1) honored a seafarer who lost his right foot while rescuing the 27 passengers including six crewmen of M/V Mansan which capsized between the waters of Bohol and Cebu City.
Rudyard Payusan, 52 years old, was on crutches and teary-eyed when he went up on stage to receive an award he never expected.
Mayor Dennis Roa and the municipal council honored Payusan for his heroic act, saying his good deed should encourage other residents to help those in need.
The municipal government invited Payusan to attend the state of the municipal address and inaugural session, but he was not informed that he will be given honor for saving lives almost four years ago.
The tragic incident cost him his right foot, it was amputated. He ultimately lost his job, his second child who was a sophomore college student had to stop, he could no longer sustain her tuition fee.
“When I lost my right foot, I lost my job, everything was affected, I used to provide everything for my family, gave them what they want. But after that incident, my life changed. But, still I am thankful I am alive and I have my family,”Payusan said.
On October 17, 2015, Payusan was the chief mate of a cargo ship LCT Crescent, owned by Golden Bridge Shipping, Inc. the weather was bad when they were sailing. Upon reaching the waters between Cebu mainland and Bohol, particularly in Camotes Island, he saw from the deck passengers and crew of a sinking banca floating and shouting for help.
Payusan said, he jumped from the cargo ship, and rescued the passengers by tying a knot of the sinking boat and pulled it to the cargo ship, while he was trying to attach the boat to their ship, the rope he was holding caught his right leg and severed it.
“The weather condition was so bad, big waves worsen the rescue. I knew, it was dangerous, but I just couldn’t close my eyes especially that I could see elderly and children waving for help,” he narrated.
Payusan was supposed to be home by then, but his company asked him to extend his duty because his reliever failed to arrive on time.
Mayor Dennis Roa, honored and recognized the heroic act of Payusan, saying his good deed should encourage other residents to emulate him.
Roa emphasized “Let us be a hero in our own way. By just picking up a piece of paper or plastics and sticks, it will be of help to our municipality. If you just follow a simple ordinance in our municipality, you could be a hero,”
The cash reward given by the municipal government is a big help, according to Payusan.-Divina M. Suson/NewsLine.ph
