Davao de Oro Province---“Daghang tawo ang mitabang kanato kadtong panahon nga mi-atubang pod kita ug trahedya tuig 2012. Katungdanan nato nga tabangan usab ang atong mga igsoon nga nanginahanglan sa atong pag-alalay. Ang pagtabang mao’y tinuod nga diwa sa Pasko,” said Governor Tyron Uy referring to the time the province was hit by Typhoon Pablo on December 4, 2012.
After making landfall in Visayas and a large portion of Mindanao, Typhoon Odette caused extensive damage to life and properties, and placed survivors in a situation where access to primary needs is scarce.
Right after, the provincial government of Davao de Oro initiated a relief operations movement calling various sectors both public and private for in-kind donations such as food and other necessities for the survivors of Typhoon Odette. The province alone donated close to P3M worth of food and non-food items plus additional in-kind donations coming from various individuals, groups, and businesses who gave their donations at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
On December 23, 2021, Gov. Uy sent off the “Walang Iwanan” team led by PDRRMO head Joseph Randy Loy to give the assistance for the provinces of Dinagat Islands, local government units of Siargao, and Surigao del Norte. The team first arrived in Butuan City and checked in at the RDRRMC EOC and later at the DSWD Regional Office. DSWD Usec. Felicisimo Budiongan and DSWD OIC Regional Director Ramel F. Jam extended their thanks to the province for the assistance. From there, the team went to oversee the unloading of ten (10) heavy trucks carrying the relief goods.
In the afternoon, they arrived at Surigao City to hand in yet another set of donations at their Provincial EOC and proceeded to Brgy. Togbongon to personally visit and distribute the 350 relief goods to the affected families. “Wala gyud mi nagdahum makaabut mo diri, bisan pa sa kalayo sa among lugar. Maayo na lang makapamasko pa gihapon mi sa inyong tabang,” a teary-eyed elderly resident said.
Then and now, DdO’s “bayanihan” way of helping is not only bound for its people, but it also extends its service, and lives through the merit of “Walang Iwanan.”(JA, PAO-IPRD)
