Our Rizal and Laguna Relief Operations in a Nutshell by Digna M. Dacsil

The group assembled in MAGMOL Office yesterday, Oct 4, Sunday at 6AM together with other groups helping for the relief operations for typhoon Ondoy victims.

After filling the van with more or less 130 packs of relief goods in WalterMart Quezon City consisting of rice, coffee, bread, noodles, canned goods & detergent/bath soap, the group went ahead to Rizal Province. 

First stop, Taytay Rizal, we were able to meet and distribute goods for Mr Emiliano Q. CENTILLAS, his family and neighbors were happy to receive the relief goods. Also in Taytay Rizal we met & gave help to Mr. Raul Libres’ family & neighbors. They were very thankful same with Mr. Rogelio Israel’s family. 

Next, we went to Binangonan Rizal where we assisted Brgy. Libis with Mr. Rolando Cloza Jr. & Mr. Christian Cervo. Around 30 families were given goods from MOL.

We also visited the flooded neighborhood of our utility, Kuya Benjie. We helped his neighbors & their families. They were glad to receive them. We learned also from some crews in Rizal that they were not affected by flood.

Since not all help from the TV networks & NGO’s come to far-fetched areas in Laguna, we decided to go for them since we were just an hour from there. On our way to Laguna, we distributed packs of goods to deeply affected families of Rizal. Milk, coffee and biscuits were given to depressed areas & families. 

It was quite a rainy day again yesterday when we were on the way to Laguna. We continued giving away small help for the families on our way. We visited Brgy. Burgos in Pakil, Laguna which is still under flood waters over 5ft-high. Most families there stay in evacuation center near the brgy. We distributed around 30 packs of goods.

We also visited Paete, Laguna, my hometown where the most affected families in Brgy. Ibaba & Bagumbayan stayed in the second floor of the town’s wet market. Schools were also flooded as it is very near to Laguna de Bay. According to Brgy officials, the town similar with other towns affected by flood might get back to normal set-up two to three months from now since the flood cannot subside. The flooded areas of Laguna are in the levels of Laguna de Bay that is why affected areas  & houses may wait until the water of the bay subsides pulling the flood. 

Last stop, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, the capital town of the province where we gave away 25 packs of goods which some families of the depressed areas especially in Brgy. Monserrat & Pantalan would benefit. We wanted to go to Sta. Rosa and San Pedro Laguna to distribute some goods but we cannot pass through their heavy flooded streets.

All in all, seeing the huge effects of the typhoon made our hearts break. But at least thru MOL & MAGMOL, we were able to help and reach-out to families in much need. Thank you to MOL & MAGMOL.