Maribel Alcontin, 37 years old, is a survivor of the Taal volcanic eruption. She is now one of the many residents who were recently put under Enhanced Community Quarantine because of COVID-19.

With their proximity to the volcano, they were able to see the sudden spew of ash that signaled the unanticipated eruption of Taal volcano on January 12. They were among the 889 families of Brgy. Bilibinwang who were forced to evacuate as they are included in the danger zone.

Together with her partner, they evacuated in Brgy. Carlosa, Calatagan. They were among families who temporarily stayed with host families and/or friends. During their stay in Brgy. Carlosa, they received food and non-food packs and hot meals on January 21 provided by STPRC in one of series of emergency relief responses for the Taal-affected families.

Over a month of being in-house evacuees, they were finally allowed to return to their communities on February 14. The alert status was lowered to Alert Level 2 and lockdown on their barangay was lifted by then. Having fewer clients since their return, her partner’s carpentry job is not enough to provide for their basic needs and to pay their bills.

As if one disaster is not enough, the COVID-19 pandemic is another struggle they need to overcome. Being a vendor while her partner is a carpenter, their livelihoods are heavily affected by the strict implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. They first depended on food packs they got from different relief operations. But these were not enough due to the prolonged lockdown.

Being chosen as one of the 317 beneficiaries in their barangay, Maribel was provided a food pack from STPRC in partnership with CDRC, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns and Foundation for Philippine Progress, Inc. on June 5. She recognized us during the relief distribution and told us that this is her second time receiving relief assistance from STPRC. According to her, the food packs she received will help feed her family for a couple of days.

Maribel’s family is just one of the many survivors of the Taal volcano eruption who is also heavily affected by the implementation of community lockdown. Despite her struggles, Maribel thanked the donors who extended their assistance. She also expressed gratitude to the staff who went to their community despite the risks of COVID-19.