Gawad Kalinga Negros Occidental Operation Buligay Negros (Relief Operation for the Earthquake Victims)

Almost 2 weeks after the strongest quake(so far) that hit Negros, Gawad Kalinga Negros Occidental responded for the pleas of our brothers and sisters in the Oriental for food and water with Operation Walang Iwanan:Buligay Negros. With volunteers from GK1MB, sfC-gk, cfC-gk, Rotary, BCBP, LCC and the Philippine Army, relief goods were given to the quake-hit areas in Negros Oriental.

GK Negros Occidental Convoy on our way to Brgy. Solonggon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental

On our way to Guihulngan City, the scenery becomes heart breaking as we pass by homes with signboards saying: “SOS, walay tubig, walay bugas, looy mo” translated as, SOS, no rice, no water, have mercy. And also, I finally see with my very own eyes the damage that the quake brought to the place: cracked roads, damaged homes and establishments. And also, most of the residents are no longer staying inside their homes, even for those whose homes are not damaged at all; it is a common sight to see makeshift tents or canopy tents outside the residents home which serves as their sleeping quarters. I have even seen a family convert their pigpen as their makeshift tent.

Cracked roads in Guihulngan

Damaged business establishments

Homes that were damaged by the quake

the blue tents serves as temporary homes for the people in Brgy. Solonggon, La Libertad

And on the site of the relief operation, you would really see how thirsty for the water and hungry for the food the people are. Some of them need to walk from afar just to be where the giving of relief goods is. Also, it is heart-warming how thankful they are upon receiving the goods we give them. They keep on saying thank you to all of us.

On our way home, I still pray for the people there, especially to the three areas we’ve been, that they may be able to move on fast with their lives and start again. 

6.9 magnitude quake hit Visayas, Philippines

Around 11:49 am today, I experienced the strongest quake so far in my life. I got up of my chair to get my netbook's charger from my other table when one of my colleagues shouted "GALINOG!" ("There's a quake!") . And i stood still and felt my body swaying. And that was when another colleague shouted we get down and out the building (our faculty room was on the second floor of the school). And everyone else ran outside into the parking lot, teachers and students alike. Although there are really some who panicked and shouted, but still I commend everyone earlier for having the right judgment of running out to an open area during time like this. Minutes later, we got news that it was a magnitude 6.9 quake that hit us and soon there was a Tsunami Alert Level 2 placed. 

Eventually, classes in all schools here in Negros was cancelled. But still many are terrified over the aftershocks that will come. As of 2:06pm the  Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismoligy (PHIVOLCS) relaesed there have been 42 aftershocks recorded. And at 2:30 pm they have lifted the tsunami alert. At present, we are still on alert over what may happen next and everyone is still praying for protection and safety. 

Let me share some pictures I got over the net that people took after the quake. 

Gaisano San Carlos City, Negros Occidental

People in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental rushing and panicking to evacuate

People in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental panicking to go to higher grounds with the scare of a possible tsunami.

As of 4:38 pm, the NDRRMC reported a total of 7 deaths after the quake. All from Negros Oriental: 4 from Guihulngan, 2 from Tayasan and 1 from Jimalalud. 

Please include us in your prayers that we may be spared from more damages and aftershocks.

You can also join us who have started this prayer brigade:

We praise You, O Father, for holding us always in Your hands. Spare us, O God, from strong earthquakes and tsunami. Keep us safe in Your loving arms, shield us from evil and destruction. In Your hands, we surrender our all. Through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, with Mama Mary's intercession. Amen. (Let us start a prayer brigade)...