SENATOR Grace Poe, who has roots in Negros Occidental, has extended food assistance to at least 2,000 residents in the province affected by the recent massive flash floods over the weekend.
Poe, through a relief operation conducted by the Panday Bayanihan in the cities of Victorias and Silay, distributed food packs containing rice, noodles, canned goods and coffee.
“Alam po natin na hindi sapat 'yan, pero kahit paano, mararamdaman nila na nandito ang inyong lingkod sa sitwasyon na kailangan nila ang tulong at kalinga (We know that it’s not enough, but at least they will feel that I am here in times they need help and comfort)," Poe said in a press statement.
In Victorias City, some 1,000 residents from Barangays 6A, 13 and 19A availed themselves of food assistance.
Another 1,000 residents of Barangays Mambulac and Rizal in Silay City also received food packs from the senator.
Recipients expressed their gratitude to Poe and Panday Bayanihan, saying that her kindness has inspired them to start rebuilding their lives.
The Panday Bayanihan is a non-government organization (NGO) led by Poe’s son and chief of staff, Brian Poe Llamanzares.
It conducts relief operations to help families in need, especially those affected by natural and man-made calamities across the country.
The cities of Victorias and Silay were among the localities in the Third District that were first flooded on New Year’s Day following a heavy downpour.
A week after, on the evening of January 8, a second wave of flash floods occurred, killing two persons and rampaged through other areas located in northern parts of the province.
“Nakakalungkot talaga. Binaha sila not just once, but twice. Hindi pa nga nakakaahon sa unang baha, binaha pa uli wala pang sampung araw ang pagitan (It’s very sad. They were flooded not just once, but twice. They have yet to recover from the first flood, they were again flooded in less than 10 days)," Poe said.
The senator expressed her gratitude to the generous supporters of Panday Bayanihan, named after the iconic fictional local hero of the underdog masses portrayed and popularized by the senator's late father, Fernando Poe Jr., in the "Ang Panday" movie series.
Poe said natural disasters like flash floods that hit our “kasimanwas” in Negros Occidental may arise anytime. What is notable among Filipinos is the culture of “bayanihan” and spirit of volunteerism.
“Agad tayong tumutulong sa sinuman na nangangailangan kahit hindi natin kilala (we immediately help those in need even though we don’t know them personally),” he said.
Poe’s mother, veteran actress Susan Roces, hails from Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental.
In a related development, Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, called anew for the immediate approval and eventual enactment of Senate Bill No. 124, or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System Act."
The bill she authored seeks to create a Disaster Risk Reduction Department and set aside at least three percent of all estimated regular government revenues for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund.
“We really cannot avoid flash floods, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters, but we can mitigate their impact through preventive measures, preparedness and building communities resilient to calamities, which can be effectively implemented once institutionalized through the passage of this measure,” the senator said.
Victorias City Councilor Francis Frederick “Derek” Palanca thanked the senator “for responding to the call for help and making the beneficiaries happy.”
“The senator’s help, as well as those from other individuals and groups, mean a lot to us. This is something that motivates Victoriahanons to remain optimistic amid the challenges we have been facing,” Palanca said.
He hopes that “this does not make us complacent. We should be more proactive towards the unexpected.” (With reports from Teresa Ellera)