SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) –The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) successfully delivered aid to the isolated Mangyan Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community in the municipality of San Jose affected by Typhoon Egay using an improvised zipline from a damaged tramline in the area.
One hundred and fifteen (115) boxes of DSWD Family Food Packs (FFP) were given to the community, with each food pack consisting of rice, canned goods, and hot beverage. The food pack is sufficient to sustain a family of five (5) for two (2) to three (3) days.
The only way to access the Sitio is by crossing the Amnay River which is passable in dry season but the heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon enhaced by the typhoon made the river inaccessible because of heavy current and high-water levels.
According to Ma. Rose Valentine R. Lastimosa of PSWDO, the tramline was the only option for their team to immediately deliver the goods as there was no chopper available at that time. However, the tramline needed repairs as it was damaged by previous typhoons.
“Inayos lang ng kaunti ang tramline [kasi] tumba na ang gitnang poste [nito] kaya hanggang kalahati lang ang kayang itakbo sa tramline. Mabuti na lang at may [maliit na bahagi ng lupa sa may gitna ng ilog] at sa side naman ng mga taga [Sitio] Danlog, pwede na nilang makuha ‘yong [food packs] mula sa gitna kasi may mababaw na bahagi ang ilog sa parte nila,” Lastimosa explained.
According to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Occidental Mindoro, the tramline was the only option for the team to deliver the goods immediately as there was no chopper available at that time. (Photo courtesy of PIO Occidental Mindoro)
Lastimosa said that the procedure could be dangerous, but with the aid of the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and PDRRMO, they were able to push through.
“Kahit na sabihin natin na risky ‘yong sitwasyon, kung nakikita mo na nakaipon na sa gitna ng ilog ‘yong naghihintay ng pagkain, kahit sino naman siguro, itatawid at itatawid ‘yong [goods]. Lunukin ang takot,” Lastimosa added.
Ma. Rose Valentine R. Lastimosa of PSWDO shared that the food packs were the first assistance that was extended to the community in response to the onslaught of Typhoon Egay. (Photo courtesy of PIO Occidental Mindoro)
Lastimosa also shared that the food packs were the first assistance that was extended to the community in response to the onslaught of Typhoon Egay. Another batch of 150 FFP was recently delivered via tramline to the area for the neighboring sitios of Balingaso at Panlabayan in response to the request of BLGU. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
