The successful return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes at Purok Manokan in Barangay Ilijan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the spirit of Bayanihan, its officials said.
Following the lowering of the status of Kanlaon Volcano to Alert Level 2, the Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) allowed the 22 families, composed of 81 individuals, who had stayed at the Payag sang Kapag-on Village in Barangay Napoles for more than eight months, to return home.
A comprehensive “Bayanihan kag Pagbangon: Rebuild and Adopt a Home” program was implemented for their return home on Saturday, August 16, the city government announced.
Mayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao said “Bayanihan sa Bago is real, we felt it and were so blessed by it. I will never forget the challenging trek up to when we reached their homes.”
The mayor said experiencing firsthand what the families go through daily and being able to discuss their livelihood with them “strengthens our drive and desire to think of ways to make their lives better.”
“Praising the Lord for all of these, we will remain grateful for all the earth angels sent to help rebuild the homes of our people. In unity there is always strength and I thank the Lord for each of you,” Javellana-Yao added.
CDRRMO head Dr. Merijene Ortizo, who was also present at the activity, stressed the city’s commitment to providing more than just basic assistance.
“The spirit of unity and the spirit of care and compassion is definitely present among Bagonhons,” she said, adding that they wanted to give the IDPs a dignified decampment.
The original plan was to provide the IDPs with cash assistance of P10,000 for each family, sourced from the Special Trust Fund – Kanlaon Volcano Preparedness and Response program, along with painted GI sheets, as instructed by Javellana-Yao, who serves as chair of the CDDRM Council.
However, the city government recognized that true decampment meant not only providing transportation to go home but also giving the IDPs the Bagonhon kind of care that embodies the city’s core values of excellence, love, responsiveness, and integrity, Ortizo said.
“Collaboration wins because without collaboration, this initiative would not have been successful. The barangay council, the offices of the city government, even the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental were there with us”, she said.
The two weeks of preparation brought together national and local agencies, volunteers, and city and barangay officials in a collaborative effort, a Bago City press release said.
The agencies that adopted houses included the Office of the Civil Defense Negros Island Region, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Bago City Engineers Office, General Services Office, Ma-ao Volunteers Rescue Unit, Sangguniang Panlungsod, personal assistants of the Councilors, CDRRMO, among other participating agencies, it said.
The comprehensive support system mobilized the entire community through multiple avenues of participation, including construction, carpentry, hauling, and community support activities.
Material donations poured in from sponsors who contributed lumber, roofing materials, nails, GI sheets, and other essential supplies for the rebuilding efforts.
Through the “Bayanihan kag Pagbangon: Rebuild and Adopt a Home” program, the city has not only rebuilt houses but also restored hope and dignity to families, the press release said.
Also present during the decampment were Councilors Robert Javellana, Jake Patrick Torres, and Jom Somcio.*
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