After super typhoon Yolanda made a big wreck in the Eastern Visayas region, notably in Leyte and Eastern Samar towns, communication lines were cut off, leaving the areas isolated from the rest of the world.
As nature made its show, the national and international communities as well, became witness to this worst devastation ever recorded in history. Neighboring provinces came into rescue right away, knowing how helpless the people would be in the disaster – stricken parts of the region.
Noemi Mongaya, 30, of Allen in Northern Samar is an Agricultural Engineering graduate who was thrown into the social work business by chance. She hasn’t find her luck yet into the Agricultural Engineering Board examination. On May 30, 2011, Noemi was hired as a Social Welfare Assistant (SWA) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), initially assigned in Las Navas town of same province.
Later, nine months after, she was transferred to the town of Catubig. Still as SWA, Noemi’s routine consists of monitoring the program beneficiaries’ compliance of going to school/day care centers, health centers for regular check, and having the right nutrition.
A Social Worker by Heart
On her first month of work, the single lass came to love her job. “Habang tumatagal, ini-enjoy ko ang trabaho ko dahil masarap pala pag nakakatulong ka sa tao” (As time passes, I have learned to love my work because it’s a sweet feeling knowing that you are able to help other people), she says.
Noemi is one of the DSWD workers who responded to the emergency relief of Yolanda victims. Even without a call from the regional office, the provincial group of the Pantawid Pamilya became one in coming over to the capital city of Tacloban. With the help of the provincial government which provided a transport vehicle, they made a journey to what was thought of by many as “no man’s land.”
Even with but almost three years in service, Noemi has already adapted the DSWD “spirit” of giving utmost service to humanity, especially in times of crisis. Without delay, she agreed to go with the group, even with but a few pieces of garments and underwear on hand. She shyly reveals that two of her co – workers in the program lent her some clothing.
Said the agricultural engineering graduate turned “social worker,” she has then developed a stronger passion for her “adopted” job. It turned out to be more intense when she experienced what it was like to be in a relief mission. Her meaningful life story started to grind.
The Yolanda Aftermath
Finally, Noemi was introduced into the “bloody” world of social work. Initially, she was stationed at the DSWD’s major relief hub at Barangay Apitong in Tacloban. Despite being a would – be professional (which she doesn’t mind), she was into the dirty job of repacking rice, canned goods, and coffee. “Waray babaye, waray lalaki dinhe (to mean that no one is spared of the kind of work, whether one is a boy or a girl), was what she could say.
Inside the filthy warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA), that was rented by the World Food Program (WFP) for the DSWD, with piles and piles of sacks of rice and mountains of other relief commodities in between, the lady Mongayao would take light naps with unfilled cartoons and sacks underneath. A few minutes of sleep during lunch break was good enough from a bone – breaking chore. She and another one would drag a full sack of rice, in times when a truck arrives, because everything was done in a hurry ! Noemi, like a soldier, was also tasked to escort a six by six truck that ferries relief goods to the Yolanda – affected areas.
She preferred to be on a day shift because when their group comes “home” to the DSWD regional office, the place is more peaceful at nighttime. Her one week assignment on a night shift is not favorable for her as their sleeping place is filled with
noise and people who are at their feet.
The Turning Point
After two weeks at the main relief hub, Noemi was transferred to the Port Area, one of the DSWD’s receiving station. It did not take long when she was transferred to another post, at the city airport which is another pick up point for relief goods. Daily, she has to fly four times to unreachable barangays to deliver the commodities.
As escort, she has to see the Barangay Captain, ask what are the needs of the community, interview community folks, and hand over the goods.
It was then her fifth day at the airport, and supposedly her last flight at 2 : 30 p.m. of a Friday. Afterwards, it will be homeward to her native province, for her to continue with her regular work. More than two weeks after, or by December 26, her boyfriend – environmentalist will be going to her hometown to offer marriage.
Boyfriend is a former schoolmate, Ryan Ano, 33, of Palapag in Northern Samar. They seldom each other as Ryan is working in Casiguran, Aurora province.That fateful day, however, turned to be a nightmare. She just got off from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) chopper, when Noemi was called from a departing chopper to assist the other team in the aerial dropping of goods in a very remote barangay.
In the spirit of “pakikisama” (oneness), Noemi joined but a little hesitation. She found herself seating atop three jugs of mineral water turned sideways. Their destination : one of the interior barangays of La Paz in Leyte !
It was rather a turbulent flight, the chopper was shaking intensely, Said Noemi, it made a turnaround three times and dived into the ground. One of its propellers hit the branches of the trees, and the next thing she knew, she was in the hospital.
Noemi was rushed to BurauenDistrictHospital. That night, all she could hear was the voice of Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera, who was responsible in overseeing the relief operations in Eastern Visayas. She could vividly remember the tender words of the DSWD official – “Noemi, sasakay ka uli sa chopper. Okey lang ba sa iyo?” (Noemi, you will ride again a helicopter, is it okey with you ?).
She was airlifted right away to Cebu for medical attention !
Fast Recovery
Noemi was badly in shape. Her spine and left leg were broken. She underwent surgery near her spine, and that her left leg needed to have a brace. All these were taken cared of by the DSWD. Her operation was done at the ChongHuaHospital in CebuCity, with two Municipal Links of Pantawid Pamilya keeping watch over her. Ten days after, two of her family members were made to go to Cebu to join her.
Asked if she was discouraged by what became of her, she said, “Di ak nagbabasol.” (I have no regrets). Noemi added that DSWD did not leave her. Fact is, she and her mother are staying at the Regional Haven, located inside the DSWD Institution Complex at Pawing in Palo, Leyte. The Regional Haven is a facility of the Department for battered, abused, and exploited women.
Since she is made to rest for six months, Noemi and her mother will stay at said center, with food and accommodation, included. She is on leave but receives her monthly salary regularly.
Noemi says she still want to pursue in passing the board examinations, but is not rushing into it. She is happy despite the accident, thinking of how many lives she has touched. Unlike others who easily becomes miserable, Noemi is not one to worry. That is why, she is on her way to fast recovery !