BOD attends CU forum in Thailand - DCCCO

Page 2 KASANAG July—September 2009
EDITORIAL
Ondoy and Pepeng: A Wake Up Call
September 26, 2009, Ondoy
(International name: Ketsana)
brought in the worst rainful in 40
years to a large part of Luzon in just
few hours— a rainfall equivalent to
one month of rain. Few days later,
Pepeng (International name: Parma)
came adding more water to Luzon.
Both Ondoy and Pepeng caused
billions of damages and claimed
hundreds of lives. As reported in the
Manila Bulletin, about 699 died, 462
injured and 87 missing. With
thousands of houses and establishments
immersed in water and
agricultural products swept, a very
depressing picture could be seen.
These two destructive typhoons
have left us with two realizations:
First, when Mother Earth shows her
wrath, we are helpless, and second, in
the midst of crisis, we are there for
each other. During the height of
Ondoy and Pepeng’s devastation the
victims could only grieve over the loss
of lives and properties. The strong
current of water was too much for
them. Both the rich and the poor went
through the same emotional and
physiological pains.
In the midst of Ondoy and
Pepeng’s wrath, the Filipinos rushed
to the area severely hit to offer help,
unmindful of the danger ahead. In a
matter of hours, help from all parts of
the Philippines started to arrive to
uplift the morale of the victims. Two
giant tv networks reported that they
were able to raise millions of pledges
KASANAG
in cash and goods from kind-hearted
Filipinos. Hundreds of volunteers also
helped in the packing of relief goods.
DCCCO, on the other hand, did its
share by putting up an amount for the
victims. In the midst of calamities, we
have become united.
We have seen how helpless we can
be if Mother Earth strikes back on us
as a result of the abuse we have done
to her. It already happened in
Dumaguete last February 7, 2009.
After seven months since we
experienced it, have we done something
to restore Mother Earth? Ondoy
and Pepeng could be another wake up
call if nothing is done and global
warming will become worst.
DCCCO, in response to the call for
the restoration of Mother Earth,
planted 1,500 seedlings at Lake
Balanan last August and conducted
coastal clean-up at Piapi Beach last
September.
Although, we are far from Luzon, we
can still do something. We can effect
change. Thus, we are reiterating our
call for all our coop members to initiate
change like proper waste disposal
and tree planting in their respective
communities. Let us not wait for
another Ondoy and Pepeng before we
start restoring Mother Earth. It’s an
urgent call. Let’s do it NOW!!!
The Official Newsletter of the Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative (DCCCO)
Published by the DCCCO Office, Sta. Rosa St., Dumaguete City
Tel. Nos. (035) 422-8029/422-4493/422-5131/225-4701/226-1016
E-Mail Address: dccomain@globelines.com.ph Log-on to: www.dccco.com.ph
Consolacion C. Unabia - Editor-in-Chief Loreto P. Ib-ib - Artist Victoriano A. Aboy - Artist
Gaspar L. Arbas, Jr. - News Editor Ivy D. Pabillo - Lay-Out Artist MES Division - Circulation
Carmen P. Baylon - Feature Editor Gerald M. de la Cerna - Photographer
Contributors: Ma. Teresa P. Ragay, Emma S. Burlasa, Luningning D. Mondigo, Shiela Mae G. Talledo,
Norma T. Catan, Azucena O. Gonzales, Marcial S. Repollo