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| Several residents of Surigao Del Sur have already felt the love and light after the storm with smiles in their faces after receiving aid and support from ABS-CBN Foundation. (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Thousands of residents in Surigao del Sur affected by the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Auring have felt the love and concern of ABS-CBN Foundation after they were given relief goods and additional support to bounce back. It was made possible through the donors of the organization's Pantawid Ng Pag-Ibig: Pilipino Para Sa Pilipino which is still accepting donations.
In the town of Lazuna, ABS-CBN was able to distribute 158 relief packs to families in Sitio Ibuan, an indigenous people’s community in Barangay Mampi, as well as to 90 families in Sitio Himatagan in Barangay Agsam. Resident farmer Eudes Duaso shared with ABS-CBN News that they are having trouble selling their goods because of the ongoing quarantine. He used to earn P20,000 a month before the pandemic, but now he doesn’t have the means to even buy food. Meanwhile in San Miguel, a town that was affected by heavy flooding during typhoon Auring in February, resident Teodoro Montero narrated in a “TV Patrol” report how his house was destroyed by heavy rains due to the typhoon. Jasmine Llana, another resident of San Miguel, also discussed in her interview with “TV Patrol” how her farm was submerged in flood waters and mud.
With ABS-CBN’s coordination, seeds were given to affected residents, concerns were raised to DSWD for those who lost homes, and ligtas bags were distributed to over 400 families. Even tourism workers in the municipality of Cagwait felt the Kapamilya love as ABS-CBN gave out relief packs to 18 resort workers. The town is filled with beach resorts often visited by tourists, but due to quarantine restrictions, tourism workers’ income plunged. “Sobrang tuwa po dahil kahit wala na kayo sa ere, patuloy ang inyong suporta sa mga tao. Kahit ang layo layo na namin sa Manila, pumunta kayo,” Suriganon Japol Montero of San Miguel said in an interview with “TV Patrol.”
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Foundation joined the rapidly growing community pantry movement as part of its continuing relief efforts. Launched last April 22 and remains open from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 12 noon until supplies last, the community pantry located along Eugenio Lopez Drive outside the ABS-CBN Compound gate aims to help those who have no means to buy food due to the negative effects of the pandemic. On the other hand, around ten community pantries in Metro Manila are provided with rice and canned goods from ABS-CBN Foundation daily. For more information on "Pantawid Ng Pag-Ibig: Pilipino Para Sa Pilipino", visit www.abs-cbnfoundation.com or @abscbnfoundationinc on Facebook.
