HOMELESS, BUT NOT HOPELESS

There are many lessons learned from Typhoon Frank, and there are many good things that happened as well. Hearts were moved, relationships strengthened, and everyone offered a helping hand. No questions needed to be asked; no justifications were necessary. Postal 6 employees naturally and readily responded to cries for help from fellow postal employees.

Regional postal employees contributed at least P 4,000 in cash, and this was used to buy food, water, blankets, and many other household items. The Acting Operations Director, Benjie Yotoko, immediately went to Kalibo to offer moral support and supervise the clean-up operation of Kalibo P.O. The indefatigable Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon braved the bad weather and rough roads to personally bring relief goods, food, and hope to the victims. The postal employees were so moved by the untiring support of Director Barcelon.

The postal district of Antique, under the leadership of Ms. Elsa Pameroyan, brought bags of relief goods to Kalibo. Employees of Roxas City Post Office also gave food and clothes to the victims in Kalibo. The Philippine Postal Corporation Credit Cooperative, under the chairmanship of Atty. Stevenson Conlu, released P 20,000 for each affected postal district.

The Central Office continues to offer support to Region 6. The Postmaster General, Hector R.R. Villanueva, through the initiative of APMG Luis D. Carlos, authorized the release of P 300,000 for the immediate repairs of the post offices and to buy the necessary relief goods for at least 100 postal employees who have either lost their abodes or much of their treasured properties.

The PPC Medical Clinic, led by Dr. Francisco Cojuanco, sent six boxes of medicines. Just

today, July 15, we received 15 boxes from PPC Region IX, headed by Regional Director Carlo S. Argana. The boxes contained slippers, noodles, sardines, coffee, clothes, shoes, and bags.

Retired postal employee Aurora Bonifacio spearheaded a project that sought donations from retired postal employees, including the former APMG for Marketing, Felipe Hidalgo, Jr. Ms. Bonifacio is presently in the region with Linda Vayson to personally deliver six boxes of medicines, clothes, and shoes.

A box from DEMS-CMEC containing children’s clothes also came in today. Mrs. Liza Binondo sent a box of clothes as well.

Donations continue to pour in. We are deeply moved by the overwhelming response from postal workers all over the Philippines. With all the support coming from fellow postal employees, the thought of moving on and starting anew becomes bearable.

Typhoon Frank left many employees homeless, but definitely not hopeless. So, you see, Frank has not taken everything away, because for as long as there’s hope, anything is possible.

As they say, there is sunshine after the rain, after all …