Bayanihan spirit shines amid Butuan City’s efforts to serve typhoon-displaced residents
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
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(Photo from CSWD Department Butuan FB page) |
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Days after the teetering impact of Typhoon Tino, torrential rains once again battered Butuan City from November 8 to 9, as Super Typhoon (ST) Uwan whipped the city with its powerful winds and dumped heavy rains that caused rivers to overflow, submerging main roads and neighborhoods in floodwater.
Uwan displaced 44,317 residents from 33 barangays, destroyed their houses and disrupted their livelihoods.
A total of 3,615 families were forced to seek refuge in various evacuation centers in the city.
To ensure the safety and comfort of evacuees, the city government immediately distributed modular tents and relief goods, providing families with a sense of security amid the moments’ uncertainty.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Butuan, through Proposed SP Resolution No. 17-061-2025, has sought to declare the city under a State of Calamity in order enabling to mobilize emergency resources for immediate response and recovery efforts.
Initial assessments revealed that the city’s agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods suffered significant damage, with losses in the agricultural sector alone amounting to over P4.5 million.
Amid these challenging times, the people of Butuan once again proved and manifested the true Filipino spirit of ‘bayanihan,’ a communal unity and cooperation that is alive and strong, according to the city government.
Volunteers from the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) Butuan, government employees, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders, barangay youth volunteers, solo parents, students, the Butuan City Police Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD), Task Force Bantay Butuan, and many others came together to assist affected communities.
City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun also visited the evacuation centers to assess the situation and coordinated with the barangay units on the immediate needs.
Barangay units also stepped up with the call of the local government, providing logistical support and extending assistance to their constituents. City departments and regional line agencies shared real-time road advisories, situation updates, and reminders, helping ensure the community’s safety and awareness.
Youth volunteers played an active role in packing and distributing welfare goods, which included three kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee, and milk.
Government offices and city departments joined hands to deliver relief packs to evacuation centers, ensuring that help reached families in need without delay.
For Joshua Batac, president of PYAP Butuan, volunteering is more than just a duty as a PYAP officer, rather it’s a personal mission rooted in empathy.
“This is not just about our commitment as PYAP officers,” Batac said. “We saw the need to help. My family was once among those affected by flooding, so I understand firsthand the urgency of timely support. By volunteering, we the youth can help ensure relief reaches evacuees when they need it most.”
Batac, who has been a volunteer since 2020, served during the COVID-19 pandemic and the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. For Uwan and Tino’s aftermath, PYAP Butuan deployed 20 youth volunteers, joining dozens more from various organizations who united under a shared purpose that is to serve the community in this time of need.
As Butuan City moves forward toward recovery, the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit continues to serve as the cornerstone of rebuilding efforts. Offices and organizations coming together to provide any form of assistance for these families to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, the city government said. (MFC, PIA Caraga with a report from Butuan City PIO and Butuan CSWDD)