Kapampangans are known for resiliency and high spirit.
Year 1991 Mount Pinatubo erupted. Its explosion destroyed millions of properties and thousands of people were perished. To many who witnessed this wrath of nature, they called it -the end.
But not for the Kapampangans who have shown their indomitable spirit in times of disaster.
The popular message of former Governor Bren Z. Guiao, “Do not grieve, Pampanga will bounce back” became a catchphrase for the whole province of Pampanga.
This prophetic statement is now what actually happened. Look at the City of San Fernando, the towns of Bacolor, Porac and Floridablanca to name a few, who would say that twenty years back, they were buried with lahar, volcanic ashes and debris.
The great doom and adversary turned into opportunity.
Nowadays the sand, considered “as white gold” emitted by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo is now the bloodline of the province, towns and villages. Quarrying is now a booming industry.
However, after this catastrophe, Pampanga is always confronted by calamities such as typhoon – prominent among these are Ondoy, Ramil , Pedring, Sendong and Quiel.
No matter how many calamities will hit the province, for Kapampangans they would simply pass by and these cannot steal the hopes in their hearts.
A clear and latest picture of how resilient the Kapampangans is the incessant rain spawned by the Southwest Monsoon widely known as HABAGAT. This submerged into floodwaters some 395 barangays in Pampanga; affecting 121, 164 families; left 16 casualties; destroyed 531, 478, 686 million pesos of crops; 901, 569, 067 million pesos in fisheries and 228, 500 in livestock.
Flooding vs. Resourceful Kapampangans
No Kapampangans will wait reeling inside their houses in times of calamity. They will endure heavy rains and floods to buy basic necessities for their families. Some made improvised boats to save their belongings and kids. Other find ways to make livelihood by selling fish they caught from the floodwater.
Submerged stalls in public market is not an enough reason to stop the traders from selling. Trading is done is done at the side of the road known as floating market. Transportation is not totally paralyzed as improvised bancas, wheelers and kalesa dominated the flooded roads – they call them,” hari ng kalsada”.
Kapampangans resiliency is not confined with the capacity to adapt at any given situation but also the ability to utilize resources available in order to lessen the effect of adversities.
Nanay Gob in Action
A mother will not rest in the midst of calamity. This holds true to Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda who works day and night. She personally supervised the operation of the Pampanga Action Center; giving instruction to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC); meeting the mayors and barangay captains for updates; and monitoring the progress of work done by government agencies that are responsible in helping the provincial government in protecting the people.
Together with Nanay Gob are Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao and Board Members who visited their own district to help in the distribution of relief goods.
The Cavalries
Nurturing the 19 municipalities and two cities is not an easy job no matter how hard working the lady governor is. She needs cavalries to focus on the different task related in the fight against the adverse effect of the calamity.
Engr. Lulu Alingcastre head of the PDRRMC is assigned in reporting the status of province and the extent of damages brought by the calamity;Elizabeth Baybayan, PSWDO OIC managed the monitoring and distribution of relief goods; PSsupt. EdgardoTinio and PSupt. Bernard Perez mobilized PNP personnel to help in rescue and evacuation of flooded families; Brigadier Gen. Gregorio Catapang manned the 703rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the land and aerial survey of the province to give warning for possible danger; and Joel Mapiles of the Provincial Information Office updated the Kapampangans through coordination with local and national media regarding the advisory, accomplishments and instructions from the governor.
Gov. Pineda rallied all the government employees, local government units and private sector to help the province in bouncing back despite adversities.
Resilience, an innate character of the Kapampangan partnered with the dedication and leadership of Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda for sure Pampanga will always rise in times of challenges of nature. (Jenna Lumbang, PIO Pampanga)
