LISA Camacho knew that a typhoon, touted to be the strongest ever to hit the country, was forthcoming. But instead of rushing home to be with her family in Roxas City, Camacho, a Municipal Link (ML) assigned in Panay, Capiz, decided to stay.

“We were instructed to stay put in our areas of assignment and assist the local government unit to respond to the needs of those who will be affected by the typhoon. But even without that instruction from the DSWD Regional Office, I still would stay because I could not just turn my back to the throngs of people starting to fill the Civic Center just across our office,” she said.

Camacho is one of the three MLs of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who are assigned in the municipality of Panay.

As ML, Camacho was a familiar face to the people who were evacuated at the town’s Civic Center with majority of them beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya.

Camacho said around 10 am of November 8, there were about 400 people already taking shelter at the Civic Center. They came from the coastal barangays of Agho, Pili, Pawa and Bontod.

People from low-lying areas were also gathered in schools and churches that were turned into evacuation centers.

Camacho and fellow MLs Zyanne Mae Souribio and Rosalie Santome took charge in listing the names of the evacuees for distribution of relief goods. They also tasked a group of women to cook food.

As time passed, the strength of super typhoon Yolanda was seen and felt by everyone – trees were being knocked down, the cross on top of a Catholic Church was ripped apart, and roofs -from houses to buildings- were being blown away.

Alarm engulfed everyone at the Civic Center when even its roofs were blown off by the ferocious wind.

SAVING 400 PEOPLE
“As the situation became worse, foremost on my mind was the safety of the people. We were at our office which was around 40 meters away from the Civic Center and we could see its roofs being blown away. We wanted to transfer them but we cannot reach them. The wind was too strong,” she said.

Finally, one man braved the strong winds and managed to get to the MLs’ office and asked for assistance. Camacho grabbed a polyester rope, around 50 meters long and ¾” thick in diameter, tied it in one post and had the man run back to the Civic Center to tie its other end.

It was that rope that helped 400 people cross towards safety.

The rope was issued by the DSWD to Pantawid Pamilya field staff to be used during their visits in barangays with difficult terrain. During super typhoon Yolanda, it proved even more useful.

Since their office could not accommodate the hundreds of people who were transferring, Camacho led children and elders who were shivering from cold to the adjacent health center to be given medical attention.

CALLS FOR HELP
Souribio recalled receiving many text messages from Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries asking for help and rescue.

“They were counting on us to help them, or at least to guide them on what to do,” she said.

Good thing, the lessons on disaster management was still fresh on their minds, Camacho said. Disaster preparedness and management was the topic on the Family Development Session (FDS), a monthly assembly of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, from July to September.

“It was always emphasized to them that it’s important to heed the warnings. Pabay-i lang ang mga gamit, ang importate ang kabuhi (Life is more important than material things),” she said.

AFTER THE STORM
The extent of the devastation was visible the morning after. Camacho, Souribio and Santome joined LGU personnel in visiting affected communities and distributing food packs.

Parts of damaged houses, broken trees and posts littered around. Not even concrete houses and seemingly sturdy buildings were spared.

“Upon seeing us, they kept saying ‘Ay salamat, ara na ang taga-DSWD.’ They were thanking us for assisting them. At that time, comfort ang ila ginapangita. Maka-estorya lang sang naging experience and fears nila, okay na sila,” Santome said.

“Despite losing everything they have, they remain hopeful because they were able to survive,” she added.

REWARDING EXPERIENCE
Looking back, Camacho did not regret her decision to stay and look after the welfare of Panayhons.

“It’s all in the name of service. We were placed here for a purpose. That time, the community needed our presence, guidance and assistance and we cannot just leave them,” she said.

She was just thankful that when she returned home, she found her family in one piece. Though their house was also partially damaged, they were all safe including her young son and nieces aged 13, 12 and eight years old.

For Souribio, being able to help at a time when help was badly needed is a rich and rewarding experience. She could not forget assisting mothers with months-old infants, secured in pillows, being transferred to safety; or of old men and women gripping tightly on a rope for fear of being blown away.

For Santome, working long hours, even on weekends no longer matter. Given the same situation, Santome said she will not hesitate to give the same commitment and dedication.

Camacho, Souribio and Santome have chosen a profession that required rendering service beyond the call of duty. And they proved that they are up to the challenge. They are committed service personified. (DSWD6/ Alma Jornadal-Estember)