Pavia typhoon victims bring plight to Banias, Ombudsman
Victims of last year’s Typhoon Frank came out yesterday to seek answers on when, where and what happened to the promised government assistance.
With over one year in waiting period, the victims numbering to 19 locals are all residents of Barangay Anilao, Pavia, Iloilo.
The group in a signed appeal addressed their concern to Assistant Secretary Raul Banias, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas, the Office of the Ombudsman and the local media.
“Ang amon mga puluy-an naubos anud sang naglaslas nga tubig baha kag nadala sa puersa sang tubig sa Tigum River. Wala ni isa sa amon ang nakatigayon nga makasalbar bisan isa ka panapton kag gamit sa sulod sang amon panimalay (Our homes were totally damaged and washed out by the floodwaters of the overflowing Tigum River. Not one of us managed to save anything in our homes),” the letter obtained by The News Today (TNT) went.
“Pila ka adlaw matapos ang nasambit nga trahedya, ginkadtuan kami sang taga-munisipyo sang Pavia kag nagpapirma sa amon bilang biktima sang Bagyo Frank. Gindala kag ginpapirma kami sa listahan sang mga may ‘TOTALLY-DAMAGED HOUSES.” Ginsilingan kami nga sa masunod nga 45 dias, may maabot nga bulig pinansyal para sa amon kag amon pamilya. (Days after the tragedy, we were approached by someone from the municipal government of Pavia and made to sign that we were indeed victims of Typhoon Frank with totally damaged houses. We were also told that in the next 45 days help will come for us and our families.)”
Unfortunately, as the group pointed out, tenfolds of said 45 days have since passed with not a single centavo in government help came.
“Kami nagapamangkot kung ano na naabtan sang pirma namon bilang mga biktima sang Bagyo Frank (We are now seeking clarification on what happened to our signatures as victims of Typhoon Frank),” the letter continued. “Sa pila namon ka beses nga balik-balik sa Munisipyo sang Pavia, ilabi na sa amon mayor nga si Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta, kami ginhambalan nga wala siya labot sa bulig nga gina-paabot namon (In the several instances we followed up our concern in the Municipality of Pavia particularly though our Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta, we were told he has nothing to do with the government help we are expecting.)”.
Signatories were Rosemarie Jimena, Luisa Miravelles, Maricar Ganila, Leticia Pagulong, Rosalie Gagante, Dyna Gajardo, Rofelia Gagante and Ronald Agrabio. Included as well were Concepcion Castor, Luciano Gagante, Catherine Pagulong, Gina Comoda, Nelfa Barnizo, Alma Suyo, Ma. Teresa Jamolin, Morena Dolor, Jesus Gagante, Nelson Hubag and Juliet Albaracin.
Meanwhile, Julian Ledesma, head of the Regional Shelter Assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who was present in yesterday’s meeting with Presidential Assistant Banias (see related story) clarified that the delay in the release of financial assistance to the typhoon Frank victims could be attributed to the still hanging P8 billion Paglaum fund.
In Pavia, Ledesma said, they have recorded 143 families who have lost their houses, either totally or partially, to the floods brought by typhoon Frank. Of the total 143 families, only 43 have received the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) from DSWD amounting to either P10,000 or P7,500 each depending on the damage incurred by the identified beneficiary.
Ledesma said they are still waiting for money from the Paglaum fund so that the 100 remaining families could also receive the financial assistance.
Mayor Gorriceta on his part said, he has made everything so all those people in Pavia who were affected by typhoon Frank could get the needed help but the government has its limitations.
“I tried my best, but that was all that we can do since the fund intended for rehabilitation of typhoon Frank victims is still pending at Congress,” Gorriceta said.
Gorriceta admitted that he was not able to answer all of the people's problems due to limited resources. “If you're not satisfied with me, wala ko mahimo,” he told the complaining residents of Brgy. Anilao.
Meanwhile, Banias confirmed that it is not yet certain when the Paglaum fund will be released although it has already dragged for one year.
He, however, assured that once the Paglaum fund is approved the town of Pavia will be on top priority considering that it was severely hit by typhoon Frank.