Helping is an inherent trait most Filipinos do in times of need.
In the recent tragedies brought about by the successive typhoons in the country, the “ob-obbo”, a local term for “Bayanihan” in Mountain Province, has helped in the quick recovery of affected communities.
While this alleviated the situation of those afflicted, this culture also shows how unity in diversity is possible.
During tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon, two separate drowning incidents were reported in the municipality of Sabangan.
The unfortunate incidents gathered various sectors liked uniformed personnel, local government and line agencies, emergency response groups, and volunteers not only in Sabangan but also from the municipalities of Bontoc and Sadanga, in the search and retrieval operations for the victims.
Each played an important role in the successful management of the incidents. The young, abled and trained individuals on water search and rescue were deployed on ground while groups of women and private individuals contributed by cooking, and in the delivery of foods and logistics for the rescuers.
Prayers from religious groups also poured in, coupled with inspirational messages from the netizens. One facebook user even made a spoken poetry for one of the victims. Indigenous prayers and traditional ceremonies were also conducted by the elders.
Despite the diversity and number of volunteers, geographical setback due to the length of Chico River, and the inclement weather condition, the responding teams were able to retrieve the body of both victims after some days of searching.
Sabangan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer William Rancudo shared that because of the number of volunteers who got together to help, the community of Sabangan did not feel alone the heavy burden of locating the victims in the stretch of Chico River that traverses through Bontoc, Sadanga and some municipalities of Kalinga.
Rancudo is thankful to all those who volunteered in the operations.
“To the volunteers on those two incidents, the municipality of Sabangan would like to extend its gratitude. Thank you for always being with us in times of crisis like this because we are able to successfully manage these incidents,” he said.
Clarence Bangiacan, a volunteer, shared that helping is a culture in their community.
“Ditoy ayan tayo gamin ket adda jay ob-obbo nga kuna da,nu adda man rigat ti maysa nga kabagyan tayo, kailyan tayo wenno kabaranggayan tayo, kinumpurme dita ket haan nga sapilitan nga mapan ka, ket boluntaryo tayo amin ditoy ayan mi nga rumrumwar nu adda rigat,” he said.
[We practice ob-obbo in our place. If an individual, a family or a community member experiences difficulties, we all volunteer to help.] (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
