Rotary clubs continue relief, rehabilitation efforts for ‘Sendong’ victims

Saturday, January 28, 2012

SEVERAL Rotary Clubs in Cagayan de Oro are still pursuing their goals to conduct relief operations and assist the people in rebuilding and uplifting their spirits and lives after last month’s deadly “Sendong.”
Foremost of these are the Rotary Club West of Cagayan de Oro and the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro.

The Rotary Club West of CDO said it would still continue and boost its relief operations to the affected residents, particularly in the provision of non-food items like sanitation kits and other materials.

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This came after the Club members held a dialogue with Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas last week to know the current situation and the need of the affected residents, particularly those who are still staying at evacuation centers.

Rotary West of CDO President Roger Uy said the dialogue with Acenas was very informative as it provided them with details on what the city government is doing.

Uy said they found out that kitchen utensils, school supplies and hygiene kits are the materials that the evacuees need most since food is abundant.

“Those are the things that we plan to give in the following weeks and days. And more goods are still coming from other rotary clubs in other districts, including abroad,” he said.

Uy said Past District Governor Rhia Rita Abalos is the one coordinating with the city mayor at the relocation sites in cooperation with the Rotary Club in South Korea.

He said Abalos also talked to the city government to provide at least a two-hectare lot that can accommodate 200 houses, which they will tie up with South Koreans.

“The South Koreans have committed to build the houses,” Uy said.

Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro also plans to create rotary villages for the affected residents.

Rotary Club of CDO President and City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya said Korean Rotarians are set to visit the city to support this initiative.

“The only thing needed is the area but we observed that some portions of Sitio Calaanan in Barangay Canitoan still have lands that can accommodate houses for the rotary village. We are also looking for a public land at the upper part of Barangay Balulang for another rotary village,” Nacaya said.

With all these help, Nacaya said he hoped that the people will still have positive perception this year since the government and different agencies are doing their best to help the affected residents.