Friday, November 8, 2019, Hijo Resources Corporation delegation represented by all business units together with the Tuason Development Foundation Inc. (TDFI) visited the towns of North Cotabato in manifestation of the Company’s core value as steward of God’s creation and its corporate social responsibility called FELICE which stands for Food, Education, Livelihood, Identity, Clothing/Cottage and Equity. FELICE is not just for communities that surround Hijo, it will reach out through the ends of Mindanao. The group went first in the evacuation center management based in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan, the Capital of the Province of Cotabato, for registration and proper deployment.
On their way to Amas, another 5.1 magnitude had striken the place. One volunteer said, “people are uncertain, they just live for a moment and wait for the alarm clock” referring to the unpredictable shake.
The group brought 200 jugs of 6liters of water, 200 health kit, and 100 meters of high quality tarpaulin. These were brought to the assigned 135 families in Purok Crusher, Barangay Malasila, a Municipality of Makilala, Cotabato. People in the village were amazingly organized. They have two big tents made of laminated tarpaulin which is said to be easily torn and delapidated. With the 100 meters heavy duty maruyama tarpaulin (truck cover) brought by the team, all people in Purok Crusher will have a lasting shelter.
The purok chairman, Alvin Javinez uttered,
“Wala gyud sila’y nabitbit bisan isa, bisan panty wala, kay nanagan na lang sila kay nangahugno na ang mga balay ug bukid” (They were not able to bring anything, not even extra panty because everyone ran when some houses and the mountain collapsed)
“Giukay ang ilalum sa yuta. Nangahadlok ming tanan, bisan karon, wala mi kabalo unsa napud mahitabo unya, ug ugma.” (The ground is upturned. All are in tremendous fear, even up to now, we do not know what comes later, and what comes a day after)
The villagers were indeed of great appreciation for the Hijo Team’s help and effort even in these little and temporary help.
Yet above all, there is no greater arm we can give, but prayers for comfort and prayers for safety to all Mindanaoans.
Truly, One Hijo, One Mindanao!