From “Help us Lord!” to “Thank you, Lord!”, these are the words of the people affected by the devastation of typhoon Odette in the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI).

 

The Island was once a beautiful paradise surrounded with deep-blue waters, green towering trees, and smiling faces of people. But, after the island was ravaged of Typhoon Odette, everything turned gray – sadness loomed in the island. Wreckage of the Island pushed some of the people to succumb to anguish and despair.

 

As one of the Islands severely hit by Typhoon Odette, the resiliency of Dinagatnons were tested. If they were to describe, it’s like nature’s punishment to the island, something only seen in movies.

 

In spite of the hefty storm, the proactive measures initiated by the LGUs especially in Cagdianao, prevented the increased number of casualties, and prevented the starvation of the affected families to occur, though damage to property was inevitable. With the preparations of the LGU, people never lost their hope right after the storm – there was a sense of Bayanihan in the communities, sharing of food and water, a place to rest, was common among the community.

According to Geae Lagne, one of the Municipal Link Officers in Cagdianao, during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assigned in the island, were full of distress as they were away from their families. Even though terrified, they were still able to deliver their end as social workers. Fortunately, right after the devastation, aids coming from outside the island started coming in.

 

On a regular basis, assistance from DSWD and other agencies would arrive. It helped the Dinagatnons to gradually recover. The presence of the Department comforts and inspires them to pick up the shattered pieces and stay hopeful that normalcy will be back soon. As early as December 30, 2021, 2 weeks after Odette’s onslaught, severely affected families in the different municipalities of PDI, received their Php5000 aid from DSWD through the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program.

“My house was totally washed out as the storm ravaged the island. However, I’m happy amidst of this agony because we’re alive. Grateful with DSWD’s financial aid, I’ll use this in buying food and other necessities. Thank you, DSWD,” Mansueto T. Dominisac, 74 years old AICS recipient, shared.

The island may be ruined but the will and spirit of the Dinagatnons to serve each other in times of disaster remains strong. Hopeless at first, but the resilience of the people is what keeps them going. Truly, there is always a rainbow after the rain – as the sun rises up each day, so is the high hopes of the survivors. For them, the sunbeams that greet them every day is a reminder that there is hope after that gloomy storm.