February 18, 2022
2021, TYPHOON ODETTE, BOHOL
TZU CHI GENERATORS RESTORE WATER SUPPLY TO 11 BOHOL AREAS
By Madilyn E. Gresones
Since the wrath of Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) in December 2021, Tzu Chi Foundation has not stopped showing humility, compassion, and love to the storm’s victims.
For the Province of Bohol, Tzu Chi Foundation accelerated the distribution of 11 generator sets to the heavily affected areas in the first, second, and third districts. The generators help run the submersible pump that provides communities with water.
Barangay Fatima in Cortes, Barangay Oy in Loboc, the Municipality of Batuan, the Municipality of Talibon, and Barangay Matabao in Tubigon each received a generator with 7.5 kilovolt ampere (kVA) capacity. The municipalities of Buenavista, President Carlos P. Garcia, Tubigon, Inabanga, Candijay, and Barangay Canangkaan in Corella each received a 15kVA generator set.
Domingo Apaap, 44-year-old construction worker from Barangay Asinan, Buenavista, was very grateful for the resumption of their water supply. “We won’t have a hard time fetching water anymore. Now, we have the water supply that we need, especially the rest of the barangays in Buenavista. Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation, for your generators.”
“I would like to extend my biggest thanks and appreciation to Tzu Chi Foundation, especially to founder Master Cheng Yen and Bohol operations officer Bro. Joven Uy for facilitating the 15kVA genset for the waterworks system in Buenavista,” said Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo. “This will help answer the water needs of our people. Again, thank you Tzu Chi Foundation.”
In Canangkaan, Corella, Maricar Ligones was with her daughter for a feeding program at the multi-purpose hall when Tzu Chi volunteers arrived. The smile on her face and the warm welcome she extended to visitors in her home showed the huge impact of a generator in her life. “We are very thankful to Tzu Chi Foundation for donating their generator,” she said. “This is a big help for us especially after the typhoon, when we lost our water supply. Through your generator, we will not have a hard time fetching water from the stream. The water is clean and is operated every day for our use. To Master Cheng Yen, thank you for your kindness.”
In the Municipality of Cortes, Barangay Fatima head Paulino Risustas said a generator from Tzu Chi Foundation put an end to all their worries. “On behalf of Barangay Fatima, I would like to extend my gratitude to Tzu Chi Foundation for providing the local government of Cortes with a generator for the pumping station. Since the storm, our water supply has been of great concern to us. Through this generator from Tzu Chi Foundation, we now have sufficient water supply.”
Loboc, one of the areas most affected by Typhoon Odette, was submerged in rain and floodwater when the low-lying river overflowed. After the storm, the damages to agricultural and livelihood properties were staggering.
Marcelo Oracion, head of Barangay Oy in Loboc, showed the reservoir that serves as the community’s source of water. “First, I would like to thank Tzu Chi Foundation for letting us have a generator to help supply homes with water. A total of 200 households are benefiting from it,” he said. “Thank you, Master Cheng Yen, for hearing our concerns. This made us feel better after the typhoon interrupted our water supply.”
Typhoon Odette left millions of people desperately seeking help from public and private organizations, as they remained resilient in the face of hardships. Through Tzu Chi Foundation’s boundless compassion and generosity, Boholanos now have reason to smile and move forward with hope.