While many faces express the burden of loss brought about by the devastating Typhoon Odette that swept through the region in December 2021, there’s one face that continues to radiate positivity and gratitude. Meet Lola Patricia, her smile tells a story of gratitude as she received aid through the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga.
As the winds of Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc throughout the Caraga region, the house of Lola Patricia suffered minor damage.
“An amo bayay kalooy sa Dios gamay ra an naguba. Ang ako kasilyas amoy ako gidingdingan nan inin sin, kay naguba man (By God’s mercy, there’s only a little damage to our house. I replaced my toilet wall with a corrugated galvanized roof because it was damaged), stated Patricia Bodiongan, 82 years old, from Barangay Aurora, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte.
Lola Patricia’s story takes a turn when she becomes a recipient of Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA). ESA aims to assist disaster-affected families with damaged houses by giving financial assistance to support them in the reconstruction of their houses damaged by a disaster like Typhoon Odette. This year, ESA was implemented for the Odette-affected families whose houses were partially damaged.
The moment she received the assistance, a big smile was painted on her face, as she gratefully received the amount handed over to her. “Daghang salamat sa DSWD, nalipay gayod ako. Salamat (Thank you so much DSWD, this has made me happy. Thank you!), Lola Patricia happily shared.
On November 7, 2023, over two thousand (2,000) Odette-affected families with partially damaged houses in Barangay Aurora, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte received their Php2,500 assistance from DSWD FO Caraga.
As the community continues to rebuild in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, Lola Patricia’s story serves as a poignant reminder that even in trying times, a smile can be the most profound expression of gratitude amidst the challenges that are happening around us.
The Department, at the same time, is dedicated to providing support to the families and communities affected by disaster, not only in meeting immediate needs but also in ensuring sustained support for a long-term recovery.
