AS TYPHOON Ulysses took its exit from the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) days ago, residents in Luzon were starting to welcome the new light of the day, the worst was finally over and life would eventually go back to normal. The aftermath was a scene of devastation but the good news was, water in these areas is subsiding and the residents were beginning to operate their clean-up drives. On the other hand, the northern part of the country, particularly the Cagayan Valley and Isabela provinces, continued to be battered by rains even after the passing of the typhoon, and with the Magat Dam released, water furiously drowned these sprawling lands near the Cagayan River.
Cagayan and Isabela provinces were obviously not the focus of media coverage during the typhoon. These provinces have never been darlings of the media for reasons, I believe, that they are not consistent sources of explosive news. Not because they are being totally ignored or disregarded. Not that there are minimal crimes or controversies in these areas but perhaps residents are content living their simple lives, away from the limelight. I would say, the populace is not showy compared to other subcultures in the country. They would not do Tiktok videos that could capture the massive attention of the people. The unending hammering of rains changed this attitude. Once they realized that help and rescue are not urgently coming despite the speedy rising of waters, the residents resorted to Facebook and other social media outlets to ask for help.
Hashtag Cagayan needs help and Cagayan needs help too started to spread on the internet. Photos of overflowing water and massive flooding became viral. People were climbing their rooftops for safety and those who were unlucky were swept away by the strong current. All of a sudden, these quiet landmasses were being submerged in murky water. The rain would not stop and soon the number of casualties was beginning to rise. Lifeless bodies according to witnesses would float on flood surfaces. The rest were inside their houses, overcome by grief and fear, wondering when the rescuers would arrive.
The situation was desperate. The media had to be called for a wider coverage to show the serious damage of the typhoon. Residents had to use Facebook and other sorts of social media to send the alarm. Cagayan needs help too. Isabela needs help too. It was a pleading to divert the government's attention to provinces desperate for help and rescue. The flood would not subside and as the dark of the night comes in rescuers had to halt for safety and protection. Water had no plan to rescind and bodies without life were feared to welcome them at the first sight of daylight.
These provinces are not used to getting the attention of the country but this time, they needed it. Many were living on their rooftops for a couple of days now. Thousands were in temporary evacuation centers. The catastrophe brings back a lot of disaster memories that occurred in the country. Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood in these provinces and it brings so much sorrow to realize that their crops are being buried in mud and floodwater. Their lands are in total disarray. There was no source of food and necessities other than from the kind hearts of fellow Filipinos and the government. The government, in fact, cannot address all these needs. These needs are numerous and immediate. So, all pious hearts are being summoned.
Cagayan and Isabela need help more than ever. They need food, water, clothing, and sympathy from our fellows. Winter has come for the north. This may continue in the coming days as reality sinks in among the residents. May we unite in helping them to overcome one of the great challenges of their history, our history because I am one among them. They cry for help and we must come to their aid as brothers and sisters of one blood and country. May God show His mercy on the afflicted and provide joy to those who come to their rescue.