DAANBANTAYAN, Cebu — Hope shines anew in northern Cebu as Team Pampanga, led by Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, extended compassion and care to communities devastated by the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake.
Bringing 120,000 food packs from the people of Pampanga, the team conducted week-long relief missions in Bogo City, Medellin, San Remigio, and this municipality which are among the hardest-hit areas. The effort reflected the enduring Filipino spirit of bayanihan in times of crisis.
According to PhiVolcs, more than 12,000 aftershocks have been recorded as of Oct. 14, following the Sept. 29 quake. Bogo City suffered the most casualties, with dozens of lives lost and hundreds of homes destroyed.
For survivors like Allan Gomez of Barangay Pandan, the road to recovery remains long but acts of kindness from fellow Filipinos continue to bring hope.
Similarly, Barangay Lapaz Captain Eddie Tulingin shared the immense struggle their community endured during the twin tremors that struck their area.
“Ang hirap po… akala namin, mamatay na kami. Pero ‘yung ganitong tulong may dumarating, nagbibigay ng pag-asa – ‘yun po ang nagpapalakas ng loob namin,” he said.
Vice Governor Pineda said the mission holds deep meaning for Kapampangans, who know what it’s like to rebuild after disaster.
“Kami rin po sa Pampanga ay dumaan sa matinding pagsubok noong pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo. Kaya ngayon na kami’y nakabangon na, panahon naman para tumulong sa iba,” he shared with the people the mission served.
Joining the Pineda were Pampanga Mayors League president Apalit Mayor Jun Tetangco, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, Magalang Mayor Malu Lacson, and personnel from the Pampanga provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, provincial social welfare and development office, general service office, and provincial information office.
As Team Pampanga departed Cebu, they carried with them stories of courage, gratitude, and resilience—proof that in every tragedy, there is strength in unity.
Through this mission, Pampanga once again embodied the true essence of bayanihan— sharing the same hope and compassion that once helped Kapampangans rise after Mt. Pinatubo, now passed on to Cebuanos. Pampanga PIO/Photos: Gerald Gloton
