(Ridgeview Park, Tacloban City) Excitement, enthusiasm, exhaustion, a bit of frustration, but mostly happiness were the emotional states/moods seen and felt by this SMO as she made some rounds with DSWDF08 Program Development Officer (PDO) Joseph de la Pena. While the latter was doing visitations and asking new ‘transferees’ if their house was okay, or if they had complaints regarding their unit, checking on their entry forms, etc., this writer listened on and asked some more questions regarding livelihood, general outlook on moving to a new home, and even some impressions of the children.
Forty-five year old Gina of IPI bunkhouse, married and with 5 kids, (one a college student at EVSU), when asked about her earning a living when she and her family starts living here, excitedly tells about her plans to buy and sell baked products with a twist, like sandwiches and canapes.
Mana Talè Penaranda, Block 11 leader who ‘takes care’ of 24 families (as every block leader does) and who has arrived at Ridgeview Park in December of 2015 says that her new house is not as warm as her IPI bunkhouse unit since the ceilings are high and this is what makes her home airy. She has a back garden where she has planted okra, ampalaya, string beans and malunggay. She also showed off her egg-laying hen and partner rooster. And while waiting for their Ridgeview Water Supply Association (RiWaSA) meeting to begin, she showed us around her block and told us how thrilled she was that there were new families coming in as she sees how enjoyable it will be, in the very near future, to live in this flourishing neighborhood.
New residents Rodrigo and Michelle Cannecer of Block 11, Lot 14 says they will set up a sari-sari store and be of service to the community. In fact, they said, they have already organized their home-based little business with their four children ages 19, 17, 16 and 14 years of age. Says Michelle, “Malipay kami nga after three years may balay na kami, salamat hin madamo. May araydun pa gad ha may amon CR nga amon igri-report ha NHA”. (We are happy that after three years, we already have a house, thank you so much. There’s still something to be fixed at our comfort room which we will report to the National Housing Authority (NHA) ).
Thirteen year old Annjannes Separa and twelve-year old Princess Michaela Cinco both excitedly exclaimed that Ridgeview Park is far better than the IPI bunkhouse where they stayed for two years. They explained the reasons for their liking it better here. “Diri na malubak it karsada, sementado na. Diri na kahoy it am balay, semento na gihap”, they happily but shyly said. (The roads are not bumpy or rocky anymore, but cemented. Our house is not made of wood but already of concrete.”)
Edgar Salentes who just moved in with his partner Ma. Ruchie proudly showed off their flourishing sari-sari store and said, “Ginpalago gud namon an kwarta nga ginhatag ha amon han gobyerno ngan mga NGOs. Parag-pedicab la ako ngan an akon padis nag-skills training man hin cooking han IEDA, DSWD ngan EVSU. An iba nga cash nga panhatag, amon gin capital hini nga sari-sari store.” (We have really invested the amount given to us by the government and the NGOs, so that this will grow. I am but a pedicab driver and my wife was one of those trained in cooking by IEDA, DSWD and EVSU. We have used some of the cash given to us as capital for this sari-sari store.) Edgar has reported that there was a little hole on their roof which they will bring to the attention of the NHA authorities once they have settled.
DSWDF08 Program Development Officer (PDO) Joseph de la Pena reported that there have been 95 families who have newly transferred to Ridgeview Park since March 29, making the total number of families down to 306 to date.
Like all the other residents of the two other Tacloban bunkhouses, all of them have stories to tell. Most of their houses have been washed out, and most, if not all have swam during Haiyan when the sea came in. Their memory of that huge storm will always remain in their minds and hearts, but everyone has to move on. After more than two years in a bunkhouse, their patience has finally paid off. A new life and a new home, truly await them all.