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| BRINGING CHEER. Mayor Eric C. Codilla’s wife Jingjing celebrates her birthday with her former neighbors at Dist. 4 where she grew up. Fire hit the community last Aug. 10 that razed 60 houses. |
THE Gomez camp has accused Mayor Eric C. Codilla of not caring for the fire victims of Dist. 4. On the contrary however, the neighborhood is close to his heart because it is where his wife Jingjng grew up. Last Aug. 15, Jingjing, who now manages the family-owned AOG Enterprises, went back to her roots to bring joy to her former neighbors.
Accompanied by her sister Joy Maglasang-Paete and son-in-law Junjun Sia, Jingjing served snacks and distributed kitchen wares to 75 families. The items include plates, drinking glasses, ladle, bowl, cooking pot, frying pan, utensils and plastic pail. Ernesto Sejas, 67 and teacher Van Gaspay thanked the mayor’s wife for the gifts that somehow eased their problems.
Maria Kiamco, 75, tearfully related how she lost her home where she was born, had a family and grandchildren. She remembers the Maglasang sisters (Jingjing and Joy) well who kept on coming back to their neighborhood even if they already lost their parents.
In fact, Jingjing visits the community during its fiesta celebration every May 3 and even built a chapel which miraculously survived the conflagration. The house where her family lived, on the other hand, which was occupied by another tenant, was gutted by fire.
Four days later, Jingjing went back to the neighborhood to celebrate her birthday. She prepared a feast for all 89 families including those whose houses were not affected by fire. She also raffled off giveaways like face towels, bath towels and umbrellas.
But the most applauded gift given to the residents was when Mayor Eric C. Codilla announced that they can rebuild their houses based on some conditions set. The first condition is for them to build temporary structures only considering the property they occupy is government-owned.
Second, the residents should give way to an 8x10 meter road right of way which the City Engineering Office is prepared to construct. Mayor Codilla wants to re-establish the road which is an extension of Juan Luna St. beginning from the area between the river walk and Chu Liante Square building.
Eventually, Mayor Codilla wants the road to reach all the way to Mabini St. which will displace more informal structures. He thus encouraged the residents to apply at the Urban Poor Affairs Office for to avail of government housing programs at minimal cost located in Simangan, Libertad, Alta Vista, Can-untog and Coob.
Mayor Codilla further advised the victims to move forward and forget about the tragedy. “Kay basin sama sa flashflood sa 1991, may mensahe ang Kahitas-an nga ang uban ninyo dinhi biktima pa. God is fair, i-agi na lang kadto nga challenge,” he said.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Aug. 13-19, 2012)
Accompanied by her sister Joy Maglasang-Paete and son-in-law Junjun Sia, Jingjing served snacks and distributed kitchen wares to 75 families. The items include plates, drinking glasses, ladle, bowl, cooking pot, frying pan, utensils and plastic pail. Ernesto Sejas, 67 and teacher Van Gaspay thanked the mayor’s wife for the gifts that somehow eased their problems.
Maria Kiamco, 75, tearfully related how she lost her home where she was born, had a family and grandchildren. She remembers the Maglasang sisters (Jingjing and Joy) well who kept on coming back to their neighborhood even if they already lost their parents.
In fact, Jingjing visits the community during its fiesta celebration every May 3 and even built a chapel which miraculously survived the conflagration. The house where her family lived, on the other hand, which was occupied by another tenant, was gutted by fire.
Four days later, Jingjing went back to the neighborhood to celebrate her birthday. She prepared a feast for all 89 families including those whose houses were not affected by fire. She also raffled off giveaways like face towels, bath towels and umbrellas.
But the most applauded gift given to the residents was when Mayor Eric C. Codilla announced that they can rebuild their houses based on some conditions set. The first condition is for them to build temporary structures only considering the property they occupy is government-owned.
Second, the residents should give way to an 8x10 meter road right of way which the City Engineering Office is prepared to construct. Mayor Codilla wants to re-establish the road which is an extension of Juan Luna St. beginning from the area between the river walk and Chu Liante Square building.
Eventually, Mayor Codilla wants the road to reach all the way to Mabini St. which will displace more informal structures. He thus encouraged the residents to apply at the Urban Poor Affairs Office for to avail of government housing programs at minimal cost located in Simangan, Libertad, Alta Vista, Can-untog and Coob.
Mayor Codilla further advised the victims to move forward and forget about the tragedy. “Kay basin sama sa flashflood sa 1991, may mensahe ang Kahitas-an nga ang uban ninyo dinhi biktima pa. God is fair, i-agi na lang kadto nga challenge,” he said.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of Aug. 13-19, 2012)
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