Senator Dick Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), led the distribution of relief goods for evacuees in Ibaan, Batangas who were affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano in January.
As he spoke with the evacuees, Gordon shared his experiences during the devastating eruption of Mt. Pinatubo that happened in June 1991 and inspired them not to lose hope and continue having the fighting spirit to carry on.
“Ako, katulad ninyo, nagibaan din ako sa Pinatubo. ‘Yung bahay ng nanay ko, nagiba, so, we didn’t have any home after Pinatubo. Marami sa aming mga kababayan, wala rin. Ang sabi ko noong araw, ‘Fight on, Olongapo!’ Ngayon, nakikita ko, ang Batangas, magiting. Hindi baleng mawala ang yaman, huwag lang mawala ang yabang! Ang yabang ay ‘yung fighting spirit na talagang hindi tayo nawawalan ng loob,” the veteran legislator said.
Gordon was Olongapo City mayor when the eruption happened. After the incident, as mayor, Gordon mobilized his constituents to volunteer instead of being disheartened.
“Work together until you are able to get back on your feet.”
“Ngayon, gusto rin namin kayong matutong maging Red Cross sa pagvo-volunteer. Dapat may kusang loob, malasakit at kapwa-tao. ‘Yon lang ang kailangan,” he stated as he encouraged the evacuees to work together until they are able to get back on their feet.
“I hope the PRC can be able to provide homes for the victims of the eruption.”
Gordon also hopes that the PRC can be able to provide homes for the victims of the eruption like what they did for victims of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, where the PRC provided 81,000 shelters.
In Ibaan, the PRC established a tent city in Barangay Malainan one month after the recent eruption of Taal. Tents were built on a 7,000 square meters land that was provided by the local government. The project was made possible with the help of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the Spanish Red Cross.
During his visit at the evacuation center, Gordon distributed non-food items such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, jerry cans and hygiene kits containing shampoo and conditioner, bath soap, and toothbrush and toothpaste, among others.
“Gusto kong malaman ninyo, mayroon tayong shared vision, shared values, shared triumphs, shared suffering. Marami tayong naging vulnerable, wala tayong laban, pero sabay-sabay tayong nagbubuhat sa hirap at ginhawa; bawat oras, sama-sama sa hirap at ginhawa. At palagay ko, kapag nakabangon tayong lahat, mas maganda pa ang buhay natin,” he concluded.