BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR
Central Visayas, April 3 (PIA) --- As
part of the observance of March as Women's Month here the Association of
Government Information Officer (AGIO-7) recent general assembly tackled the
significant of women in the move to stand amid the effect of super typhoon
Yolanda and 7. 2 earthquake.
With the theme “Juana ang Tatag Mo ay
Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD 7) regional information officer Leah Quintana as resource
person for the assembly said that the celebration of Womens Month is just
a perfect tool to pay tribute to the exemplary acts of women in facing the
devastations of disasters.
“This is a fitting occasion to give
recognition to the extraordinary women who despite odds are able to help their
families to stand up again in the aftermath of the two disasters,” Quintana
stressed.
Quinatana then narrated the story
of a 42 year old wife from Bogo City, Sheila Toring who bravely faced the
ill aftermath of typhoon Yolanda that served as example to others and strength
to her family.
“Sheila was left with her three (3)
kids in their house when typhoon Yolanda struck Bogo City. Strong winds blew
the roof of their house, she just let the kids sleep in the dining table,”
Quintana narrated.
“Immediately after the strong wind and
rains Sheila gathered all the woods left from their wrecked house, she bought
nails and hammered the pieces of wood to put back the house,” she continue.
Quintana said that this simple act of
Sheila caught the attention of others and encourage her neighbors to do the
same.
She added that oftentimes it is the
women who see and ensure the security of their families and the communities in
the bad times.
Another story Quintana disclosed was
the sacrifices of Rosario Bacong an administrative officer IV of DSWD 7, who
was then assigned as disaster operation head in Bohol during the 7. 2
earthquake and later at the Benito Ebuen Mactan Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City for
super typhoon Yolanda disaster operations.
“Bacong has not yet fully recovered
from the workload she has in the operations after the earthquake in Bohol again
she has to do the same for typhoon Yolanda,” Quintana said.
Bacong was the one tasked for the food
and non food items dispatch activity.
Quintana said that amid the incomplete
meals in a day and even no meals sometimes and with the sleeping hours of
usually from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM of the same day, Rosario didn’t utter
even a single word of complain but instead said that a simple ‘thank you’
satisfied her already.
“I believe there are many ways women
can help in rehabilitating the damage communities, every woman has their own
part in rebuilding community,” Quintana concluded. (mbcn/AYS/PIA 7)