Monday, September 08, 2008 Sarangani pays tribute to donors, volunteers By Gandhi C. Kinjiyo
ALABEL, Sarangani -- The Provincial Government of Sarangani paid tribute to donors and volunteers who shared their efforts and resources to provide assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Maasim town after a number of MILF rebels launched a dawn attack on August 18 in this town leaving two civilians dead.
In a ceremony dubbed "Handog Pasasalamat -- A tribute to donors and volunteers" held at the lobby of Sarangani Provincial Capitol on September 5, Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez personally thanked the donors and volunteers for their help to IDPs.
"The willingness of the people to help after the incidents that happened in Maasim indeed touched my heart," Dominguez said.
The number of displaced civilians reached more than 12,000. They were housed in different evacuation centers when the Philippine Army conducted clearing operations a few days after the attack in the hinterlands of Maasim where the rebels were hiding.
By August 27, Dominguez led evacuees residing along the highway to return to their homes as the security threats had died down.
The governor recalled how "employees or not, young or old were asking 'what we can do to help?' This really showcased what a true Filipino should be."
"What gave us inspiration was all of you being there, helping us," Dominguez said.
The local government of Sarangani handed over plaque of appreciations to the donor and volunteers.
International institutions who provided food and non-food items were the United Nations World Food Program, World Vision, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Development Program- ACT for Peace Programme.
Senator Mar Roxas, who graced the affair, gave cash assistance to the two widows and a month-old baby hit by stray bullet during the attack.
Dominguez said when the lives of civilians are involved, "the enemies will face the full force of the law."
But he was quick to add the punitive action is not against the whole organization but only against those responsible for the attack.
One of the volunteers, Lovely Tabonara -- a staff of Kalinaw Sarangani Unit, recalled how her parents were worried over her presence in Maasim.
She admitted fear gripped her heart while repacking rice for the evacuees at night, but her willingness to help overcame any anxiety.
"If you see people needing your help and if helping others is in your heart, you tend to ignore any risk," she said.
