Buhi, Camarines Sur

Sunday, January 28, 2007

The Bicol Regions of Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon were hit with a 1-2-3-4-5 punch of Typhoons Milenyo (Sept 25-29, 2006) and Seniang ( November 7-12, 2006), relocation due to Mayon eruption, Typhoon Reming (Nov. 30- Dec 3, 2006), and the Mayon landslide. The needs were great and FTH tried to put together 3 teams and CFO had 2 teams to meet the challenge.

Sunday, Jan 28, 2007- Team No. 1 of Gloria, Solita, Lottie, Ethel, Bing, Fely and Manny from Las Vegas, Carl, Jeanette, Ernie, Tessie and Pablito met at Terminal No. 2 for the 9:30 Am flight to Naga City. The flight was delayed until 12:30 PM waiting for another plane coming from Cagayan De Oro.

Passengers were issued meal allowance and nobody complained.

Team No. 2 of Celia, Malu, Gretchen and Dr Dante left earlier at 7:00 AM to join the Bulan Medical Mission for Legaspi City going directly to Bulan, Sorsogon.

We were met at Buhi Airport around 2 PM by the drivers and vans of Uncle Johnny Ramos of Buhi Resorts. As you enter the airport building with no roof, with high winds and some rain, you can feel the devastation brought by Typhoon Durian, and the local government have not yet fully recovered. Almost two (2) months after the Typhoon Durian on November 30, 2006, the roof the terminal building still need to be repaired.

We had gift giving for about 70 families at Barangay Cabatuan and where we were joined by the Mayor during the distribution. We continued the distribution to about 230 families in the Buhi Municipal Hall. The gifts were bought locally, packed and prepared by the staff of the Mayor and DSWD. At the Municipal Hall, the distribution was done in the second floor meeting room which was crowded by the recipients. Lottie talked about FtH and its missions. Carl and Ernie advised the recipients to form 2 lines to facilitate the distribution. We were treated to a late lunch by the Mayor’s wife after the gift giving.

Monday, Jan 29, 2007- We passed by the ruins of Cabatuan Elementary School before we proceeded to Pilar, Sorsogon with the vans provided by Uncle Johnny of Buhi Resort Hotel where FtH volunteers were hosted.