Alfonso Maspat, 66 years old, lives with his wife in Brgy. Canaynayan, Sta. Cruz, Zambales. He has a child who works in Olongapo. Tatay Alfonso is a member of Damayan sa Canaynayan, the barangay’s Disaster Preparedness Organization (DPO).

Tatay Alfonso is a tenant in a half-hectare land. Per cropping, his usual yield is 65 cavans of palay. Taking out his landlord’s share, production cost and debt payments, his usual net yield is 15 cavans. This is used for his family’s personal consumption and usually lasts until the next harvest. If he can do three croppings in a year, he does not have to give the landowner a share for the third harvest.

As the province of Zambales felt the onslaught of Typhoon, floodwaters caused by the heavy rains damaged Tatay Alfonso’s palay farm. His harvest plummeted to 39 cavans (40% drop), a far cry from his average yield. His house was also partially damaged by Ompong’s violent winds.
Because of the effects of the typhoon to his house and livelihood, Tatay Alfonso would wake up in the middle of the night, feeling anxious. He remembered feeling scared and wondering how to pay for his debts, which at the time reached 20 cavans. Without external assistance, he knew that he would again be forced to borrow money for their sustenance.

When he received assistance from DKH and GFFO, he started to feel hopeful. His family received a relief pack from the DKH and cash assistance from GFFO thru CDRC and ABI during the emergency phase. He used the money to buy rice and other household needs.

As Tatay Alfonso continued to pick up the pieces in the typhoon’s aftermath, he came to a few realizations. He recognized the importance of being a member of an organization such as their DPO. He said that diligently attending meetings and activities and expanding its membership will help their community become more united and better prepared in times of disasters.

He also said that what was stressed in the trainings about preemptive evacuation is relevant and true. However, he also emphasized the significance of having safe evacuation centers. He recalled that at the height of Ompong floodings, the floodwaters in Canaynayan Elementary School which was designated as evacuation center was neck-deep, compared to knee-high waters in their neighborhood. Because of this, his family opted not to evacuate.

He said that the BLGU should build evacuation centers on higher ground if they really want safety for their constituents. He added that schools should not be used as ECs because classes are disrupted especially when classrooms are used by the displaced for long periods of time.

One major lesson which should also be learned is strict monitoring of the weather. “Don’t just sleep,” he stressed.

Now as farmers like him recover their livelihood, he is once again thankful for the seeds and fertilizers he received from DKH through its early recovery project. He is excited to start their backyard gardening. He is confident that he will be able to do three croppings this year.

He said that farmers like him should persevere. Good palay seeds such as the ones distributed by CDRC and ABI are hard to come by/find.
“We should all have the courage to start again. We are not in this alone,” he concluded.
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