Bicol was among the regions hardest hit by a string of typhoons in October and November. International humanitarian group Tzu Chi Philippines, through its Bicol chapter, reached out to victims of the disasters in Camarines Sur and Catanduanes to provide them with relief goods and building materials.
On 5 November, Tzu Chi Bicol Volunteers (TCBV) together with JLo BIG HEART Foundation (JBHF) and Tabaco Tsinoy Fire Volunteer Brigade came together to provide much-needed relief to 737 flood victims of typhoon “Kristine” in Barangay San Francisco, Baao, Camarines Sur. The volunteers distributed rice to the people at the St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish church.
On 8 November, TCBV JBHF and the Tabaco Chinese Filipino Volunteer Fire Brigade came together to support 2,476 families in Barangays San Miguel, Salvacion, Sagrada, San Jose and San Roque in Bula, Camarines Sur. Fifty-one volunteers gave each family 10 kilos of rice at the St. Mary Magdalene Church.
On 20 November, Tzu Chi Philippines (TCP) volunteers flew to Aparri, Cagayan to help communities still submerged in flood water caused by typhoon “Marce.” Through the assistance of local leaders, hard-hit areas were identified as well as families whose homes were totally damaged and livelihood washed away. To tide them over, volunteers provided them with sacks of rice, basic necessities, bread and clothing.
On 22 to 23 November, TCP conducted a series of relief distribution in the municipalities of Sta. Ana, and Aparri, Cagayan. More than 4,000 beneficiaries received relief goods and families whose homes were destroyed received a construction voucher.
Having just wrapped up eight days of rice distribution to over 9,000 beneficiaries in the municipalities of Baao, Bula, Milaor and Nabua in Camarines Sur, TCBV volunteers went to Catanduanes to help victims of typhoon “Pepito” which made landfall on the evening of 16 November. On 26 November, the volunteers surveyed the devastation in the island’s 11 municipalities. From a meeting with provincial governor Joseph Cua, they identified Viga, Panganiban and Gigmoto as the municipalities that would receive relief goods.
The TCP and provincial government of Catanduanes agreed to distribute construction materials to 1,865 families whose homes were damaged, and 10-kilo sacks of rice to 4,629 families in the towns of Viga, Panganiban and Gigmoto.
In Panganiban town, an unexpected downpour and brownout on 30 November interrupted the release of relief stubs that stretched to the evening. The volunteers used the flashlights on their cellphones to continue working.
A landslide occured overnight, making the road back to Panganiban unpassable the following day. The volunteers had to walk on muddy, slippery path to return to the town and resume the stub distribution.
In Gigmoto, 1,614 families with partially damaged homes each received a 10-kilo sack of rice, while 378 families with totally damaged homes each received 10 pieces of 10-foot galvanized iron sheets, a kilo of umbrella nails along with their 10-kilo sack of rice.
In Panganiban, 731 families each received a 10-kilo sack of rice and 219 families with totally damaged homes were each given GI sheets and umbrella nails and sacks of rice.
In Viga, 1,069 families each claimed a 10-kilo sack of rice, and 355 families with totally damaged homes reach received GI sheets, umbrella nails and 10-kilo sacks of rice.
