Quake-hit villagers thank volunteers with humble gifts

Residents of a remote barangay in Glan, Sarangani, return the favor to volunteers who drove six hours from Alabel, Sarangani, to deliver relief goods. (Photos courtesy of Rhoda May Ebad)

MANILA, Philippines — In a remote barangay in San Jose, Glan, Sarangani, residents who had waited days for help met the first volunteers to reach them with what little they could give: bananas, chickens and ducks.

The volunteers had traveled six hours from Alabel to deliver relief goods to communities devastated by last week’s strong earthquake. But before the aid was even unloaded, residents had already prepared gifts in gratitude.

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“Kamo pa lang nakaadto diri, pasalamat namo ni sa inyo (You are the first people who have come here; this is our way of thanking you),” villagers told the group.

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As of Sunday, June 14, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said more than 720,000 people were affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off Maasim, Sarangani, at 7:37 a.m. on June 8.

The earthquake killed 61 people in Soccsksargen and the Davao Region, while 40 others remain missing, the NDRRMC said.

READ: Over 720,000 affected by M7.8 Mindanao earthquake — NDRRMC

Despite damaged roads and landslides, the volunteers crossed difficult terrain to reach the isolated village, which is home to more than 115,000 individuals.

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Rhoda May Ebad, one of the volunteers, described the journey as challenging.

“The road was extremely difficult. There were still remnants of landslides, and at times the road was reduced to a single-lane passage,” Ebad said.

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RELATED STORY: Phivolcs logs over 2,000 aftershocks after Mindanao earthquake

But the welcome they received surprised them.

“They gave us the chicken before we had even unloaded the relief goods. It turned out they had already prepared it for us,” Ebad told the Inquirer. “Then, on our way home, they gave us two ducks as well.”

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As the volunteers made their way home, more residents came to the roadside with bananas, offering what they could in return for the assistance brought to their community. /dm

HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.

Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.

The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.