LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A barangay in Polangui town, this province, has a unique strategy to immediately remove mud and debris left by flood from severe tropical storm "Kristine."
Barangay captain Nong Sarte Zamora of Barangay Ubaliw has implemented the “Isang sakong putik, palit P10" (One sack of mud in exchange for P10) program in which residents sell a sack of mud or debris for P10 to Zamora.
Zamora said the strategy is a collaborative effort between barangay officials and his constituents.
RESIDENTS of Barangay Ubaliw in Polangui town, Albay province collect mud left behind by flooding from severe tropical storm 'Kristine' and are paid P10 per sack gathered. (Photo courtesy of Barangay Captain Nong Sarte Zamora)
"Nasa Central Business District kasi ‘yung barangay namin at isa kami sa severely affected nung pagbabaha na dinala ng bagyong Kristine. So nag-isip kami ng paraan kung papano kaagad maalis ‘yung makapal na putik," he said.
(Our barangay is in the Central Business District and we were one of the barangays severely affected by flood from Kristine. So we thought of ways how to remove thick mud from the storm)
He said that through the help of generous constituents, he was able to collect money to pay residents participating in the program.
"Kinausap din kasi tayo ng mga residente natin na may pera naman at ‘yun tinanong ako kung ano maitutulong nila. Sabi ko sa kanila, ganito na lang gawin natin. Nung una, akala ko mga less than P10,000 lang gagastusin, ‘yun pala umabot ng P19,000," he said.
(Well-off residents talked to me and asked me how they could help. I told them, let’s ask residents to collect mud and debris and pay them P10 per for every sack gathered. I estimated expenses to be less than P10,000 but it reached P19,000)
Barangay Ubaliw was submerged in 4.5-meter deep floodwater during the onslaught of Kristine and resulted in mud seven inches thick.
Zamora said the local government provided assistance but the sheer volume of mud prompted them to collect debris manually.
"Hindi naman nagpabaya ‘yung lokal na pamahalaan namin. Katunayan nagpadala si Mayor Adrian Salceda ng backhoe kaso hirap kunin ang mga putik. Kailangan talaga mano-mano," Zamora said.
As of Monday, Oct. 28, residents have collected 1,980 sacks of muds equivalent to P19,800 and majority of participants were students.
"Karamihan sa mga sumali ay mga estudyante. May mga pambaon na sila. 'Yung pinakamalaki na sinahod kahapon, may isang naka 440 sacks. Bale P2,400 binayaran natin dun," he said.
(Majority of those who participated were students. They now have allowance. One individual was able to collect 440 sacks and earned P2,400)
Zamora said the program seeks to tap and compensate his constituents in the cleanup.
"Gusto ko lang naman i-incorporate yung mga constituents ko na may konting compensation. Sa ngayon hindi pa ubos ang mga putik kaya magiisip na naman kami ng paraan," he said.
(I would like to tap my constituents and compensate them. All the mud has not been collected yet and we are thinking of another way to do this)
The municipal government of Polangui and other private individuals provided trucks to haul the debris.
"’Yung magkakarga at magdidiskarga ng mga sinakong putik ay mga TUPAD beneficiaries naman. Baka ‘yung natitira, i-TUPAD na lang natin ‘yun. Hindi ko kasi na-anticipate na napakarami pala," he said.
(People collecting and dumping mud are TUPAD beneficiaries. Uncollected mud might also be collected by TUPAD beneficiaries. I didn’t expect the huge volume of mud)