Brothers and sisters, frightful was the experience of our fellow men and women in Batangas and its neighboring towns after the recent eruption of the Taal Volcano. It is a truly saddening welcome for the new year for the families that need to evacuate and leave their homes and livelihood. As we write this column, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC recorded over 88,000 families or more than 346,000 people have been affected in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Quezon. At present, about 37,000 families or around 137,000 people are staying in 488 evacuation centers.
Our fellow fishermen and farmers inhabiting these areas are severely affected not only because they lost their homes but their source of livelihood, as well. The volcano’s eruption caused an estimated P3 billion worth of agricultural damage. Almost 16,000 hectares of farmlands and plantations were destroyed and 2,000 animals were lost. As the government also predicts, losses of the fisheries sector is seen breaching P1 billion.
Not surprisingly, many individuals, different private groups, and organizations have been sending relief goods to affected families in evacuation centers. On the government’s side, there is the food distribution by the DSWD and NFA for the families living in evacuation centers. For the small farmers and fishermen, there is the livelihood help given by the Department of Agriculture or DA with a total sum of P160 million. Part of the DA’s response is the Survival and Recovery Loan Program where each fisherman and farmer will be granted a loan of P25,000 without interest to be paid within three years.
But the question remains: How will these farmers who have lost their homes and livelihood recover? Surely, it is difficult for our fellowmen affected by the eruption to rise above the calamity, and it will take years for them to once again stand on their own feet. If a loan is one of the primary answers of the government for the poor farmers, it may in fact add more to the debts they have to pay. As one congressman said, “Nawala na nga sa kanila ang lahat, pagbabayarin pa. [They have lost everything, now they’re asked to pay].” “Are the taxes the government collects not enough to address the needs of our fellow farmers in the affected areas? This is also a point given by the group Amihan, a federation of women farmers: “Kagyat na tulong ang kailangan ng mga magsasaka’t mangingisda, hindi pautang. [An immediate response is what farmers and fishermen need, not loans].”
We can compare our fellowmen affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano to the 5,000 people who followed Jesus in a story from the book of Matthew 14:13-21, where the Lord is seen recognizing the material need of the people in His mercy. “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them to me,” He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up 12 basketfuls of left over bread. The number of those who ate was about 5,000 men, besides women and children. Primary needs, such as food, shelter and health are what our countrymen need; not loans, not added debts.
Brothers and sisters, Pope Francis reminds us in his UN speech in 2015, it is the duty of our government leaders to ensure that the material needs of all are addressed for them to be able to live with dignity. In the case of our fellowmen and women affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano, particularly the poor farmers and fishermen, they need immediate help. Surely by the time they are able to stand on their own, they will find ways to earn more, and to help develop their livelihood.
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