FIVE towns and one city in northern Cebu pledged to uphold the “bayanihan spirit” after the conclusion of the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge in Bogo City yesterday.
One volunteer, 47-year-old Imelda Ruiz of barangay Binabag, Bogo City, said she would volunteer to help again if given the chance.
“Our house was destroyed by Yolanda but good for us now that we have a roof over our heads. Many don’t even have a floor to sleep on,” she said.
Ruiz and over 5,000 other volunteers from Bogo City, went from barangay to barangay in the past five days to comfort children in stress-debriefing sessions, painting schools, and cleaning streets and coastal areas.
They also helped build houses in the city’s Yolanda Village.
In the last two months, the GK Bayani Challenge mobilized over 27,000 volunteers in northern Cebu which was devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
Six mayors signed a “Bayanihan Covenant” to create linkages between local government units for emergency cases.
Present were Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente, Borbon Mayor Butch Sepulveda, Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez, and Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. The other towns are Sta. Fe, Bantayan, Tabuelan, Tabogon, Medellin and Sogod.
Four northern Cebu towns also signed a pact to set up a joint network for emergency response.
The Alliance of LGUs for Emergency Reduction and Response on Threats (ALERRT) is composed of Bogo city and municipalities of San Remigio, Daanbantayan and Sta. Fe.
Ben Frederick Rodriguez, Bogo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, said the idea was conceived in 2012.
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