Many of us in Cebu will never forget how we spent Christmas last year after super typhoon Odette hit in the dark and in silence, out of contact with our loved ones. Well, at least those of us who were not waiting in line for hours for food, water, fuel, and other basic necessities.
It was a miserable Christmas, but we survived it.
Now other parts of the country seem to have fallen victim to bad weather. Two individuals in Camarines Sur and four in Misamis Occidental were reported dead following heavy rains and floods on Christmas Day. Ten people in Bicol region, six in Eastern Visayas, and three in Northern Mindanao are missing, and 100,691 individuals have been affected. An estimated 46,672 people are now staying in evacuation centers.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, agricultural damage in the Bicol Region was estimated at ?52.7 million, while damage to infrastructure in Bicol and Northern Mindanao was estimated at ?5.28 million. Damage was also reported to some houses in Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas.
This was no storm; it was just rainy weather brought on by a shear line. Or when cold and warm air meet, according to the state Weather bureau. Imagine if it had been a typhoon in the likes of Odette.
While there has been no formal call out for aid and donations, we -- as in the Cebu local government units, non-government organizations, and private individuals -- should be ready or respond to give in case the affected areas ask for help.
We should not forget that a year ago we were hit as badly as they were and got badly-needed aid from other parts of the country in the form of aid and technical assistance.
The suffering of others can be easily drowned out by our celebration of Christmas, more so after two years of not being able to make merry as we did before.
In the spirit of Christmas, let us keep our suffering brothers and sisters in mind and be ready to help should we be asked.