BONTOC, Mountain Province – Cash and in-kind donations to victims who were affected by the fire incident in the wee hours of April 11, 2023, in Barangay Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province continue to pour in coming from generous donors in the Philippines and overseas.
Per the record from the Office of the Municipal Treasurer, the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) received total cash donations of P9, 068,324.75 as of 5:00 P.M. of April 27, 2023.
Among the long lists of donors are the three children who showed that age is just a number when it comes to helping others.
First is Hazel Cassandra “Gagsi” Lingbanan, from Barangay Samoki, Bontoc who happily opened her piggy bank on her 7th birthday and decided to donate all her savings totaling P3,155 to fire victims.
According to her mother Henrietta Claire Lingbanan who works at the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of the Bontoc LGU, Gagsi’s piggy bank savings filled in from months she earned from household chores and coins she set aside from her allowance in school.
Her mom, who was deeply touched by the kind gesture of her daughter, accompanied her to the Bontoc Emergency Operations Center where Gagzi handed over her donation to MDDRM Officer Johanna Padaen.
Second is eight-year-old Johanna Carina Dominique “Ayachi” Pablo Kiat-ong, who studies at Rainbow of Angels. She emptied her piggy-bank savings to have a hand in relief efforts for the fire victims. Her mother who was amazed at the selfless act of her daughter took a video of Ayachi as she emptied her piggy bank savings.
Ayachi came to know about the incident through a Group Chat of which her mother is one of the members. Without a second thought, she donated all her savings totaling P5, 000 to the fire victims.
Third is eight-year-old boy Castiel Jay “CJ” Bacwaden, a Grade 2 pupil who donated the savings from his piggy bank totaling to 1,252.05. CJ mentioned that he started his piggy bank earnings in April 2022. Their home is near the incident site and he saw the destruction caused by the fire. Without a second thought, he and his cousin Kalel went to the Bontoc EOC to personally hand over his savings.
Meanwhile, for the past days, the workforce from the Bontoc LGU and volunteers have been busy in the delivery and distribution of in-kind donations to the doorsteps of fire victims. Most of the fire victims sought temporary shelters in the houses of their immediate families and relatives.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., extends his gratitude to everyone for their unselfish acts in helping the fire victims.
He added that cash and in-kind donations, and manpower and equipment services at the incident site are a big help to those who have lost their homes, properties, and livelihoods. The mayor assured that all donations would go to the fire victims.
“I am deeply touched by the enormous support and generosity that we continue to receive. We thank all those who help us, be it in monetary, materials, services, prayers, mental and physical support, regardless of where, how, and when they did it. What is important is that you help us”, the mayor remarked.
