Complaint mars relief effort in Medellin town

CEBU, Philippines - Complaints marred the relief operation of World Vision International for typhoon victims in Barangay Mahawak, Medellin town in northern Cebu, which prompted the group to look for another place to implement the project.

Volunteers of said Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization were surveying the area last Wednesday and coordinated with barangay workers who have the list of affected families.

But a certain Lilibeth Nur who is married to an Egyptian who owns a multi-million residential building in Mahawak, accused the surveyors and barangay workers of favoritism.

Nur claimed she is in the list of affected individuals but was surprised to see her name marked “rejected,” which meant she could not receive any assistance.

“Million ang damage sa akong balay pero kung naay ipanghatag bisan unsa ka gamay, bisan usa ka kilo, dawaton nako kay kinasingkasing man na. Ang kakuyaw namo sa bagyo di mabayran. (My house incurred millions of damage but if I’m given assistance, no matter how small, I will receive it because that’s being given wholeheartedly),” Nur told The Freeman.

She argued that some of her neighbors whose houses only sustained minor damage were even given tarpaulins and ropes while those whose houses were destroyed allegedly did not receive aid.

Nur said she should receive what other people are receiving because, like that others, she has been paying taxes religiously for her house and properties.

“Ang ako lang, ni-react ko sa special treatment, sakit nga butangan ka diha og rejected (I’m reacting to the rejection. It hurts),” she said.

Former barangay captain and now town councilor Vicente Caracena explained that the surveyors of World Vision have followed a set of criteria in distributing the aid. Based on these criteria, those who cannot afford to rebuild their houses will be prioritized.

He said there are 557 families in the list, which includes Nur, but the items available for distribution are only for 300 families.

Caracena said they have asked World Vision to continue its project in the town, assuring the group that distribution will be more orderly next time around. —(FREEMAN)