October 29, 2024
Tzu Chi Bicol, JLo Foundation conduct ocular visit in San Francisco, Camarines Sur
By Arvin Yanga
Floodwaters rushing through streets like raging rivers, families perched desperately on rooftops, and haunting cries for help piercing through the darkness—this was the scene that unfolded as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) unleashed its fury on the Bicol region on October 23.
With maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and relentless rains, the storm left a trail of devastation, affecting over 4.2 million residents, with 81 lives lost and 34 individuals still missing, according to Rappler.
In a report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 318,538 individuals now huddle in evacuation centers, while 176,585 others have sought refuge elsewhere.
On October 27, four Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers and staff partnered with 31 volunteers from the Pili, Camarines Sur-based NGO JLo Big Heart Foundation in conducting an ocular visit in Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur.
Surmounting the extreme heat wave and floodwaters that have yet to recede, they traveled on rescue boats to assess the damages and needs of the local community.
The scale of destruction is staggering. Five hundred sixty-two households were affected, corresponding to 2,000 individuals. For the past five days, Barangay San Francisco remains submerged in knee-level floodwater.
There has been no major kind of relief assistance given to the affected families since the catastrophe. Help is limited, and people are desperately in need of food and water.
As ocular visits continue, the spirit of bayanihan shines through. Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers, alongside JLo Big Heart Foundation, provided over 600 hot meals to evacuees and residents. One hundred fifty hot meals were served in Barangay San Francisco, 316 hot meals were distributed in Barangay San Roque, and 150 hot meals fed storm survivors at the Rosario Evacuation Center. Volunteers also shared hot meals with 384 stranded bus passengers and their drivers.
As Bicol faces one of its most challenging times, the call for solidarity grows stronger. Through collective action and compassion, the community can rise again from this catastrophe.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.
Storm victims line up as they receive hot meals prepared by Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers and JLo Big Heart Foundation at Rosario Evacuation Center.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers distribute hot meals to affected residents of Barangay San Roque.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers hand out hot meals to stranded passengers on the road.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers hand out hot meals to stranded truck drivers in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers hand out hot meals to stranded truck drivers in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers hand out hot meals to stranded truck drivers in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers join an ocular inspection of Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur, and distribute 1,000 hot meals to storm survivors.