AROUND a thousand volunteers in Cagayan de Oro City are helping clear streets of mud and debris as villages begin the daunting task of rebuilding damaged homes and communities in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Vinta in Northern Mindanao before Christmas.
The City Government on Tuesday, December 26, launched the "Mud Brigade", an initiative aimed to clean villages that were highly affected by the flooding.
Policemen, soldiers, and government employees from various offices and line agencies joined the whole-day clearing operation, a city hall official said.
Allan Porcadilla, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said this is the first time that the City Government initiated this activity to help victims get back on their feet.
"Para maibsan ang kasakit sa nga nahiagoman sa mga biktima unya pagpakita kini sa atong simpatiya sa ilang na-experience ug pagpakita nga dunay pagpakabana ang syudad (This activity was done to help citizens back to their feet and to show them that the city government sympathizes with them),"Porcadilla said.
Many of the volunteers brought their own cleaning materials to the villages where streets are still coated with layers of mud particularly in barangays Consolacion, Carmen, Macasandig, Rotunda area, and the villages along Burgos Street.
"Grabe ang lapok ang uban area gigamitan na nato og grader tungod sa kabaga sa lapok (The mud was so thick in some places we had to use a grader)," Porcadilla said.
Porcadilla said those flood victims who might be needing help to clear their houses from thick mud can also seek assistance from the CDRRMD.
He said all rescue personnel and first responders have already been given medicine against leptospirosis.
He also emphasized that the CDRRMD is also helping the fire bureau for the delivery of water in areas where water supply is insufficient.