TACLOBAN CITY – “Wag mawalan ng pag-asa. Laban lang and pray (Don’t lose hope. Just keep on fighting, and pray).”
This was just one of the many messages of hope that survivors of super typhoon Yolanda sent to the victims of typhoon Ulysses, that went with the boxes of donation that will be taken to Cagayan and Isabela next week.
“Kapit lang, kaya nyo yan (Just hold on, you can do it),” said another message.
Also written on the sheets of paper taped on the boxes were bible quotes about resilience and strength in times of hardship as their way to encourage the hapless people of Northern Luzon, who lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihood, just as they did seven years ago.
Private individuals, government, and non-government organizations from all the six provinces in Eastern Visayas have converged at the One-EV Relief Operation center here since Monday to gather, pack, and prepare donations for transport to Northern Luzon.
The Philippine Air Force, 546th Army Engineering Battalion, and the First Northern Samar Mobile Force Company have extended manpower to assist in packing, and will transporting the goods to Luzon next week.
A youth group from the Gawad Kalinga Village in Palo, Leyte, who also lost some of their loved ones during “Yolanda” collected clothing, blankets, and rice in their community to donate for typhoon Ulysses victims.
Youth Ministries in San Miguel, Alangalang, and Carigara towns in Leyte were also working hand-in-hand in preparing food packs to identified beneficiaries in Cagayan and Isabela.
A group of online sellers here and Sistearity, a milk tea shop in La Paz, Leyte have also shelled out proceeds of their sales for the donation drive.
A headquarters was also set up in Palo, Leyte in the Seminary Compound in Brgy. Salvacion, Palo, Leyte to cater to the influx of donations from all over the region.