Previous
Next

Twenty-six members and officers of the Client Advisory Board (CAB) of RAFI Micro-finance, Inc. (RMF) City of Naga branch extended their help to landslide survivors during the relief operations conducted by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) last Sept. 28, 2018.

RAFI, with the help of volunteers, prepared 1,800 relief packs that were distributed to 11 evacuation areas. RMF Cebu District Head Naomi Navacilla said they were able to locate RMF clients living in the landslide area and ensured that they were given the relief packs and additional 5 kilos of rice.

“We are really thankful that we have such active CAB members and officers that assisted us in the distribution. This is also our way of showing to our clients that they are not left behind and that RMF is here to assist them in many ways possible,” Navacilla added.

The September 20 landslide in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an, Naga City displaced over 1,714 families from their homes; they are now staying in 11 different evacuation centers in Naga and San Fernando. Of the number of families affected, 793 are RMF clients. They lost their homes and livelihood while some lost family and friends to the tragedy. 

Tales

One of the CAB officer volunteers was Nanay Carmelita Bonghanoy, who had previous experience in relief operations. She and her husband have been helping distribute relief goods coming from various donors right after the landslide occurred.

“This is the right time for all of us to come together and help each other, especially the CAB members who were affected. After all, CAB’s mission is to promote the welfare of its members. With all the help we’ve been getting, I believe the survivors can still hope for the best,” Nanay Carmelita said in Cebuano.

An RMF and landslide survivor, Nanay Susana Canque lost her home and livelihood. She farms for a living to feed her 15 grandchildren who live with her and her husband in one of the mountainous area in Naga.

As she shared her experiences after the landslide, Nanay Susana said she is still thankful that her family is safe and that they are still able to survive despite having no income in the evacuation center. 

“We were reluctant to leave our place but we know we are safer here in the evacuation center. We are also thankful for everyone who donated in whatever way they can,” she added.

Another RMF client, Nanay Sisil Silana lost her brother during the tragedy. While her family is saddened by the loss, they are determined to rise above the situation for the sake of her parents and her own family.

Nanay Sisil and her family survived as they were inside the church then for the morning prayer. Her brother and his girlfriend were found five days after the incident by her father who persisted on looking for the missing body of his son.

“All we can think of now is how to rise above this but we don’t know where to start. We want to return to our place but we can’t because our house was destroyed. We’re just thankful that we have been getting help from RAFI,” Nanay Sisil added in Cebuano.

The Microfinance Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI Micro-finance, Inc.) provides financial and non-financial services to micro-entrepreneurs with a mission of elevating lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through stable and rewarding livelihood.