By MELBA CABATO WAUGH
I have been a resident of Cagayan de Oro having studied at Xavier University ( Ateneo de Cagayan ) as a Cocofed Scholar and later became the Regional Director of Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) in Region X with head office in Cagayan de Oro.
Although i was born and grew up in Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro became my second home. For this reason i acquired my own house in Gold City Village, suburb of Balulang, the place hardest hit by the typhoon and flash flooding. Balulang is a valley, sitting between high hills and mountainous areas and close to the very big and wide Cagayan de Oro river. So the heavy rains has sent all the water excess to the river causing it to overflow into the village and washing away the houses that were not concreted.
MY widowed youngest sister and young son was sleeping in my house when the water suddenly rose up to the roof level, leaving the house unrecognizable as it is covered in mud the next day. According to my sister she and her son escaped with only their wet clothing on their bodies.They do not know where to go for shelter and clothing as there are so many already in evecuation centres with not even a mat or blanket. Drinking water is even becoming a scarce commodity. The whole city is having problem with the supply of light and water currently. The cry for help of my sister still haunts me everytime it flashes back.
We are very lucky to be living in this country where we know no scarcity. We have everything that makes our lives convenient to the point of wastage. Should we just let our fellow countrymen spend Christmas in those evacuation centres with no food and clothing? Our country needs our help. The Philippines does not have enough resources to meet the present need.
I am willing to personally go there to hand out whatever the Filipino-Australians can extend to the people of Cagayan de Oro. For now, i think cash donations will be necessary to meet the immediate needs of the people. All other donations in kind could follow.
{Melba Cabato Waugh is a Filo concerned citizen who used her Facebook account to appeal for donations).
