Dumaguete Relief Operation (Ending)

PART 3 OF 3

The next day, February 21, we left early for La Libertad.  We bought additional 5 sacks of rice because we found out that some are taking advantage of the situation, selling rice at 100 pesos a kilo.  The price of rice before the earthquake was only 30-35 pesos a kilo.  We arrived at the foot of the mountain at 8 am and 30 minutes later, after securing all the relief bags to 4 single motorcycles we rented, we headed for Baranggay Pacuan.  We ourselves, 4 of us (5 including the driver), boarded a single motorcycle.

The two-hour motorcycle drive proved to be the ride of our lives.  Some roads are already paved with concrete but many still are not.  We passed by several times areas where there were landslides – big rocks and mud lie on what use to be passable roads.  Twice we had to disembark so our motorcycles can be pushed through areas badly damaged by the landslide.  No wonder, no other vehicles can be used to get in and out of that area, cutting off many people from food supply and other basic necessities.

After being tossed, twisted and shaken for two hours, we finally arrived at our destination.  We immediately distributed the relief items because we still need to go to Jonie’s mother which will take another 10-15 minutes hike.  Before heading for the hike, Jonie took the opportunity to briefly share God’s word to his relatives.  They listened intently, and from time to time, they uttered their thanksgiving to God for His great love and care for them.  It was their first time to receive any help after the earthquake.  They couldn’t believe that we will take so much effort just to bring help.  Tears flowed from their eyes as Jonie led them in prayer.

The same thing happened when we finally met Jonie’s mother and other relatives up the hill.  They laughed and cried at the same time.  Jonie’s mother even said that she thought she won’t see Jonie again but God is so faithful indeed that He gave them the opportunity to meet Jonie.  We really wanted to stay longer but because we needed to catch the bus’ last trip; we left there 30 minutes after 1 in the afternoon.  7 hours later, we’re back in Bacolod. 

Before leaving La Libertad, we stopped somewhere in the mountain where there is a view of Baranggay Solonggon.  70 people there died because of the landslide.  Until now, many bodies are still buried underneath the combination of mud, rocks and trees.  Jonie has relatives there too who need help but time and resources hindered us from going there.  We told them that if God provides, we will surely come back and help in the relief operations in Solonggon.

We spent our last night there in Bacolod.  Our flight back to Manila is at 10 in the morning.  Tired and bruised, we tried to sleep but somehow, our minds still lingered in what we had experienced for the last three days.  It is hard not to think about it, especially that we feel that our job is not done yet.  Many people still need help.  Those who help only bring relief goods at the evacuation center.  How about those who are at the other side of the mountain, especially the elderly and the weak who can’t travel?  We must come back, we said to ourselves as sleep finally conquered our tired and beaten bodies.