Quake victims still hoping for Digong’s P2b

By Ben Serrano,
Correspondent

Barangay San Juan, Surigao City — Quake victims here totaling to 601 residents –– whose houses were destroyed –– are still hopeful that the promised P2 billion aid of President Duterte during his visit here last Feb. 12 will be fulfilled.

More than 100 residents here trooped their barangay hall on Saturday and  aired their dismay and complained why there were still no construction materials even with the expressed order of Duterte to start in rehabilitating their communities.

“Nang hambog pa gani si Presidente Digong sa iya speech diha sa auditoirum nga ang P2 billion iya ibilin sa amo. Gamay ra gani daw. Palitan na lang mi ug house and lot sa subdivision including everything pa gani. Karon bisan pa gani isa ka lansang wala,” said one of the villagers who asked not to be named.

At least 13 quake victims of the more than 100 quake victims who trooped the barangay hall claimed their houses have been damaged by the earthquake, namely Liny Diaz, 37; Marta Eumaod, 32; Lolita Sayac, 40; Helen Escabel, 61; Jennifer Intal, 54; Josefa Villamor, 62; Cresencia Pertis, 70; Proserpina Olita, 67; Joselita Cagapa, 69; Daniela Salino, 47; Bernardina Olater, 52, Cipriana Ilagan, 45, and Juana Llamera, 65.

The villagers complained that it has been more than a week that they have no proper shelter, their children exposed to the elements.

They lamented some are already sick with fever and other ailments like colds, coughs and digestive illnesses.

The barangay’s chairperson Monina Caluña explained to the villagers that she too heard Duterte promised P2 billion but the fund’s beneficiaries have been muddled after Press Secretary Martin Andanar’s pronouncement that the fund is intended for the mining workers.

“Sinabi naman ni Presidente na kaya na ibili ang P2 billion na iiwan nya dito sa Surigao ng house and lot sa subdivision. Pero umaasa pa rin kami baka matauhan din si Andanar taga Surigao pa naman siya,” one of the villages lamented.