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November 3, 2022

Zamboanga volunteers respond to Typhoon Paeng

867 families in eight evacuation centers in Zamboanga City received rice and other relief goods from Tzu Chi.

 

By Ben Baquilod

 

Tzu Chi volunteers in Zamboanga provided immediate relief to families affected by Typhoon Paeng (international name: Nalgae) that pummeled the city on October 28. Volunteers distributed goods to a total of 867 families in eight evacuation centers in Zamboanga City from October 29 to 31.

 

Families received food packs containing 5 to 10 kilos of rice, breads and other food items, drinking water together with Tzu Chi blankets and food bowls.

 

“What caught us by surprise was the sudden surge of water that caused flash floods,” said Tzu Chi Zamboanga liaison officer Dr. Anton Mari Lim. Dr. Lim said it was the first time in recent history that a typhoon has caused severe flooding to almost all parts of the city. “This is the effect of climate change. I think nature is telling us something. We have to protect nature so that nature will protect us,” he added.

 

Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) reported four people dead, two missing, and 60,000 individuals displaced. Damage to infrastructure and agricultural crops were estimated at Php 121 million and Php 1.8 million, respectively.

 

With very little planning, Tzu Chi Zamboanga promptly mobilized its volunteers to conduct surveys the next morning and thereafter gave assistance in the afternoon to three evacuation centers: Putik Central School, Divisoria Elementary School, and Guiwan Church.

 

The relief operations continued over the next two days in five more evacuation centers. “It was heartwarming that everybody pitched in,” Dr. Lim said.

 

One of the volunteers was Edison Yu who was thankful to participate in Tzu Chi’s relief mission. “It’s very heartwarming. You can see people smiling even though they lost their homes,” says Yu of his fellow Zamboangueños’ resilience. John Davidson Uy was equally fulfilled for joining the operation: “It feels good to help those who have suffered from typhoon, those who need us the most.”

 

Romalie Mendoza indeed needed help for their house was submerged in flood water after a day of strong winds and continuous rains. Her family evacuated to Divisoria Elementary School and was given assistance by the barangay council. She also thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation for extending more help to them.

 

Barangay Councilor Marisa Mariano expressed the same gratitude to the group: “Thank you very much for the assistance to our beneficiaries. Thank you, Master Cheng Yen and Dr. Anton Lim and your companions.”

Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers provide immediate relief to families affected by Typhoon Paeng from October 29 to October 31 in several evacuation centers in Zamboanga City. Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers provide immediate relief to families affected by Typhoon Paeng from October 29 to October 31 in several evacuation centers in Zamboanga City.
Dr. Anton Mari Lim, Tzu Chi Zamboanga liaison officer leads relief efforts in Divisoria Elementary School. Dr. Anton Mari Lim, Tzu Chi Zamboanga liaison officer leads relief efforts in Divisoria Elementary School.
Zamboanga volunteers Dr. Anton Mari Lim (rightmost) and Harvey Yap (center) talk to Barangay Kagawad Marisa Mariano (leftmost) during Tzu Chi’s relief mission in Divisoria Elementary School. Zamboanga volunteers Dr. Anton Mari Lim (rightmost) and Harvey Yap (center) talk to Barangay Kagawad Marisa Mariano (leftmost) during Tzu Chi’s relief mission in Divisoria Elementary School.
Zamboanga volunteers distribute relief packs to evacuees in Divisoria Elementary School. Zamboanga volunteers distribute relief packs to evacuees in Divisoria Elementary School.
Relief distribution lasts until night at Guiwan Church, Zamboanga City. Relief distribution lasts until night at Guiwan Church, Zamboanga City.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteer checks up on an evacuee in Brgy. Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City. Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteer checks up on an evacuee in Brgy. Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers and other youth volunteers pose for a group photo after a relief distribution in Brgy. Sta. Maria. Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers and other youth volunteers pose for a group photo after a relief distribution in Brgy. Sta. Maria.
Evacuees from Talon-Talon Elementary School line up carrying their relief stubs. Evacuees from Talon-Talon Elementary School line up carrying their relief stubs.
Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers pose for a group photo at Talon-Talon Elementary School. Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers pose for a group photo at Talon-Talon Elementary School.
Zamboanga volunteer Shan Ling Wang hands relief goods over to an evacuee from Tubunan Elementary School. Zamboanga volunteer Shan Ling Wang hands relief goods over to an evacuee from Tubunan Elementary School.
Volunteer Edison Yu distributes relief goods to a beneficiary at Pasonanca Elementary School. Volunteer Edison Yu distributes relief goods to a beneficiary at Pasonanca Elementary School.
Volunteer Steven Ong helps a beneficiary carry her relief goods at Pasonanca Elementary School. Volunteer Steven Ong helps a beneficiary carry her relief goods at Pasonanca Elementary School.
Beneficiary happily receives relief goods from Tzu Chi. Beneficiary happily receives relief goods from Tzu Chi.
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Tzu Chi Philippines

Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines - Jing Si Hall

1000 Cordillera cor. Lubiran St., Bacood, Sta. Mesa., Manila 1016

(632) 8714 - 1188

info@tzuchi.org.ph

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