Sarangani honors donors, volunteers

By Gandhi C. Kinjiyo

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 10, 2008) – The provincial government honored donors and volunteers who assisted Maasim's internally displaced persons (IDPs) after rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels launched a dawn attack on August 18 leaving two civilians dead.

In a brief ceremony dubbed "Handog Pasasalamat - A tribute to donors and volunteers" held at the Capitol lobby September 5, Governor Migs Dominguez personally thanked the donors and volunteers.

"The willingness of the people to help indeed touched my heart," Dominguez said.

Displaced civilians peaked to 12,000 and were housed in different evacuation centers when the Philippine Army launched manhunt operations in the hinterlands of Maasim where the rebels were hiding.

But by August 27, Dominguez led his displaced constituents residing along the highway to return home as security threats had died down.

The governor recalled "employees or not, young or old were asking 'what we can do to help?'"

"This really showcased what a true Filipino should be" Dominguez pointed out. "What gave us inspiration was all of you being there helping us."

The local government of Sarangani handed over plaques of appreciation to the donors and volunteers.

International institutions who provided food and non-food items were the United Nations World Food Program, World Vision, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Development Program-ACT for Peace Programme.

Non-Government Organizations who responded to the needs of the IDPs included Spectrum, Yacap Foundation, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Mana Resources Development Foundation, Petron Foundation, Bantay Bata 163, Young Moro Professionals Council, Circle of Peace Builders in Socsargen, Conrado Alcantara Foundation, Joint Task Force Gensan, ABS-CBN Foundation, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority, and Task Force Salaam Gensan.

The City Government of General Santos and Makati, Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 12, Department of Interior and Local Government-Sarangani, Lun Padidu National High School, and Senator Manny Villar also sent relief goods.

Private entities Sarangani Rural Bank, Mira Farm, Smart Communications, Jam's Restaurant and individuals namely Miss Malu Lucen, Precious Ann Legario, sent their assistance in kind and in cash.

For providing security, the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police of Maasim and members of CAFGU were also cited.

Senator Mar Roxas who graced the affair gave cash assistance to the two widows and a month-old baby hit by stray bullet.

Governor Dominguez said when the lives of civilians are involved, the enemies will face the full force of the law.

He explained that the punitive action against the rogue MILF was not against the whole MILF organization but only for those responsible for the Maasim attack.

One of the volunteers, Lovely Tabonara, a staff of Kalinaw Sarangani Unit recalled how her parents got worried on her presence in Maasim.

Fear gripped her while repacking rice for the evacuees at night, but her willingness to help overcame any anxiety. "If you see people needing your help and if helping others is in your heart, you tend to ignore any risk," she recalled.

Rodrigo Depamaylo Jr., a member of the Quick Response Team, also revealed his fears while hearing bombardment in the mountain as his team delivered relief goods in evacuation centers. "But there is a call for us to serve, thus we must stay in the area to serve the victims," he said.

Senator Roxas said it is worth to honor people who have the heart to serve and to celebrate the existence of their love to fellowmen, to the province and to the country.

"When you hear atrocities occur in your place, the first thing that comes to your mind is to leave the area," he said. "No person in his rational mind would stay, but you chose to stay despite the danger just to serve," he added. (Gandhi C. Kinjiyo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)