Leyte Landslide

ST. BERNARD, Southern Leyte--Communities affected by the 2006 Guinsaugon landslide tragedy have received P65 million worth of public facilities in their relocation sites.

The Japanese-funded facilities—five barangay (village) halls, four health stations, four school buildings and five basketball courts in seven villages—were turned over to the municipal and village governments in ceremonies held here on Saturday.

These are found in four relocation sites in the village of Magbagacay and three in the village of Catmon.

Relocated to Magbagacay were the survivors of the landslide that struck the village of Guinsaugon on Feb. 17, 2006. More than 150 people died and nearly 1,000 others were missing and presumed to have died.

Also moved to Magbagacay were residents of the neighboring villages of Ayahag, Sug-angon and Nueva Esperanza. These have been declared within the danger zone.

Those of the villages of Magatas, Hinabian and Kauswagan, also within the danger zone, would occupy the relocation sites in Catmon.

School bags and supplies were also distributed to children in the seven relocation sites.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) turned over to the municipal government 10 VHF radios for use in disaster preparedness and related operations.

Sen. Richard Gordon, PNRC chair and chief executive officer, said the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) donated nearly P45 million for the public facilities, aside from the P20 million it gave to the survivors through the International Federation of the Red Cross.

In a message during the turnover rites, Gordon exhorted the evacuees to be self-reliant and hardworking.

"They're not giving you a building; they're giving you an education … health. They're not giving you a basketball court; they're giving you strength of body," he said. In return, "they expect that the most that you will give back … is your dignity and pride."

Osamu Tanaka, JRCS director general, expressed gratitude to the PNRC and the provincial and municipal governments for their efforts in making their projects a reality.

Tanaka commended the villagers for their "courage to overcome the difficulties (they've) been carrying in (their) shoulders."

Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado committed the provincial government to the building of access roads to the relocation sites while St. Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza said they would maintain the facilities.