VOLUNTEERISM DRIVES REBUILDING EFFORTS IN DINAGAT ISLANDS

Volunteerism drives rebuilding efforts in Dinagat Islands

Volunteerism drives rebuilding efforts in Dinagat Islands SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands -- Almost two months after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, residents of Dinagat Islands are taking it upon themselves to construct and rebuild destroyed homes to combat the prevalent problem of homelessness in the Province.

Residents, with the help of civil society organizations and the Office of Congressman Alan 1 B. Ecleo, constructed a Pahina Village in Barangay Boa, municipality of Cagdianao to help families whose homes were totally destroyed in the aftermath of Odette.

“Well-entrenched in our culture is the practice of pahina, or our local version of bayanihan, where we offer to each other voluntary labor as a form of service to our communities. It is a common sight in many of our municipalities

for all kinds of people, young and old alike, to offer parts of their week to serve the community by working together as an expression of our devotion to God and one another,” Cong. Ecleo said.

Pahina Villages aim to provide shelter to homeless Dinagatnons while ensuring that they will not be separated from their places of work and livelihood. He said it is important for fisherfolk and farmers to maintain proximity to their sources of income as we continue to rebuild and revive our local According to DSWD, Typhoon Odette affected 37,033 families in Dinagat Islands, totally destroying 16,336 homes.

Cong. Ecleo recently proposed House Resolution No. 2464, which aims, among others, to alot PhP,418,621,433.23 to provide emergency shelter assistance, cashfor-work programs, family food packs, and financial assistance to families.

“As we wait for the Congress and the National Government to provide us with the necessary budget to fully rehabilitate Dinagat Islands, we cannot let our fellow Dinagatnons remain homeless,” said Ecleo.

“Whereas others are still planning, Dinagatnons through the Pahina Village have already started construction through our people’s spirit of volunteerism, unity, and love for one another in times of crisis,” Ecleo added. (Cong. Alan 1 B. Ecleo, Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)