A total of 25 families took refuge into Kalahi-CIDSS school buildings in Brgy. Arellano in Bobon town, the day Tropical Storm Nona hit the Northern Samar province.
Rosana Bumacod, 41, said she was very thankful when the school buildings were completed since the project was for their children’s education. But, Rosana never thought the project could also serve their community during disasters like that of TS Nona.
“Hindi namin inakala na ganito kalakas. Ito na ang pinakamalakas na bagyo na tumama dito sa Norte”, Rosana shared.
Rosana is a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer and a bookkeeper during the construction of the 2-Classroom Elementary school building funded by MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) in 2013.
“Kasama akong gumawa ng building na ito. Kaya nung malakas na yung hangin at ulan, dito kami tumakbo kasi alam namin matibay ito”, Rosana proudly asserted.
Although the 1-Unit school building sub-project under the NCDDP (National Community-Driven Development Program) fund is not yet complete, the structure was also utilized as an evacuation center by the residents of Arellano.
68-year old Feliza Meniano, a widow, said the Kalahi-CIDSS building was a savior. “Sa eskwelahan muna kami tumutuloy habang ginagawa namin yung mga bahay namin.”
Cecil Ginoba, 34, and a mother of four is now trying to rebuild her house.With the skills training on non-traditional work she gained as a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer and Project Preparation Team Member, Cecil is helping her husband do the carpentry works.
“Natuto akong mag-laborer dahil sa Kalahi-CIDSS, kaya marunong akong magtrabaho”, Cecil explained.
Like other families in the village, Cecil is ready to move forward.
“Kapag matapos namin itong bahay, lilipat kami agad”, she hopefully exclaimed.
As of this writing, the town of Bobon has already received a total of 4.6 million pesos worth of food and non-food assistance from the National Government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development which includes 1, 459 sacks of 50kg. rice for its 6, 247 total number of families.