Fernando Gonzalez is a single parent residing in Barangay Villa Reyes in the municipality of San Narciso in Quezon Province. He has seven children but they are not living with him. He used to make a living from panghahapin (hook and line fishing). But due to the pandemic, he could no longer work. Being a senior citizen and a person with disability, he is considered one of those most vulnerable to the coronavirus disease, hence not allowed to go out.

Due to mobility restrictions, Fernando could not travel and visit his children. But despite all the challenges he is facing, he said, “I have endured everything even if life is hard. Even though I’m far from my children, I want to live.” The consecutive typhoons that ravaged the province made his life even more difficult. His house was completely damaged.

When asked about his needs, Fernando said that he still wants to work. He added that he can still fish.

Upon receiving food assistance, he expressed his gratitude. “This is such a great help. It is big thing for people like me. Thank you so much.”

A total of six barangays from two municipalities benefited from this project. The recipients were from the vulnerable sectors: senior citizens, farmers, fishermen, and those with partially and totally damaged houses. The project is an emergency response assistance to Typhoon Rolly-affected communities in Quezon Province. This was made possible by the generous support of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), a German humanitarian organization.