Metro Infanta Foundation, Inc.

Contact us … Please send your email to: editor@infanta.org

Three things to be grateful for

by Rudy Arizala

Here are three things to be happy about:

1. Gen. Nakar Brgy. Banglos displaced fishermen who became sculptors making use of locally available materials.

2. Women of REINA, taking up the lead to help their respective families earn a living during the aftermath or post floods. And

3. That our kababayan 1968 Bar Topnotcher Atty. Mario "Jojo" C. Buñag being appointed by the President as BIR Commissioner.

The people of Infanta, Real and General Nakar, Quezon are living up to the noble Quezonian traditions of self-help, honest labor, hard work and faith in the Divine Providence.

Below is an email we received from Jeremiah M Opiniano, Executive Director, Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI) recommending a new group of immigrants from Bansalan (we're not quite sure where it is in the Philippines) to check us out for the work that we do for Metro Infanta.

It is humbling to know that our work has been noted by the Institute for Migration and Development, which is headquartered at the University of Santo Tomas. Yet we are not alone in our mission to help our country, by helping our hometown. Some people have grandiose plans to help save the Philippines from economic ruins and don't get very far. A few of use believe that in the long run we can do the same in a more humble way by helping one town at a time.

There are more two million Filipinos in the United States alone. If expatriates from the same town pulled their resources together, that would be a tremendous help to that particular town. When the towns helped are multiplied it could very well end up helping the entire country.

Indeed the expatriates are an incredible resource very much forgotten by the Philippine media and government. In fact, I sent a letter to Babe Romualdez of the Babe's Eye view column in the Philippine Star the following, which also salutes the work of the IMDI:

I, too, salute all the OFWs who are truly the saviors of the Philippine economy. Indeed, they are great Filipino workers, and I personally know many of them. But I cannot help but feel that the Philippine press and government only talk about OFWs as though they are the only ones who are responsible for keeping the country afloat.  My fellow expatriates in the United States and other countries have equally contributed to the Philippine economy, yet their contributions continue to be ignored.

For example, expatriates from Infanta, Quezon, and other neighboring towns have pulled together their resources through a small community foundation which has become a continued source of support in said town. Since its inception in 1996, it has sent more than $200,000 in grants to various causes including religious, education, humanitarian and civic. When the devastating typhoon hit Infanta, Real and General Nakar around this time in 2004, Metro Infanta expatriates sent funds totaling $30,000 immediately. In fact, the Foundation, of which I am the founding president, has a special drive to collect another $20,000 to help refurbish a high school damaged by the typhoons; and this on top of another $25,000 for our general causes. 

In addition, it has facilitated more than $150,000 in funds directly from other funding agencies. This is only one of the numerous organizations in the United States and other countries that are doing many benevolent acts for the Philippines. Many of them are sending school and hospital supplies, and medical missions, building hospitals and schools, providing tuition assistance from high school through graduate schools and more.

In fact, there is an organization based at the University of Santo Tomas, which is currently collecting data of organizations with philanthropic endeavors. It is headed by Jeremiah Opiniano, who has become a tireless advocate for the work of those that have been ignored by the Philippine press and government. It would be nice to hear about them too.

From Jeremiah Opiniano

Greetings from the Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI). We are a young nonprofit doing studies and news/feature articles about you who are abroad. As Leila Rispens-Noel herself mentioned, the Institute is very interested in the work of migrants and migrant organizations like you who support the hometowns in the Philippines.

The moment I got the news that Bansalan is starting its own group, and continues to build trust among its members (particularly the website), I personally got excited. What more with the news that some of your earnings, or disposable income, is already being pooled for a gym back home? Really, that is wonderful - those small steps that can make a big difference.

The Institute is willing and able to help migrant groups (formal and informal) such as the Bansaleño group. The help that we can give, at the moment, is a simple write-up of what you are doing and spreading it to as many people possible. That kind of awareness raising will, hopefully, build confidence and entail more supporters - particularly the "undiscovered Bansaleños" abroad.

IMDI also offers information that might be useful to you. That information is contained in a website about overseas Filipinos' philanthropic support to the country. Log on to www.filipinodiasporagiving.org. There are many, many examples there of how other groups abroad help their hometowns. There are also some downloadable materials there, especially about a recent conference we held on diaspora philanthropy last June in Manila.

For one, there is this story from the Metro Infanta Foundation (www.infanta.org) in Colorado, USA that annually raises US$20,000-plus to support development needs in identified Quezon towns, not just Infanta. The story there is that MIF built on its database of 400 Infantanhins in the US and in over-five other countries. You can email Mila Glodava, MIF president, for inquiries as she is copy furnished this email. And believe me, there are more stories of this sort.

Lastly, the Institute is willing to work with migrant organizations such as yours. You are the real experts of migrant philanthropy, and the best we can offer are information and services that will further your work for the motherland. I hope you would also be interested to informally coalesce or network with other hometown associations located in other countries - not just to learn from each other, but to spread the message that localized support from Filipinos abroad works. Whatever networking to be built here will primarily run on trust, respect for each other, excitement, and very less on egoistic tendencies that many Filipinos abroad have. The common vision is helping, and we would even want to help individual migrants make informed decisions on where best to put their money for their individual and familial benefits.

I salute the startup work for Bansalan, and just tell Leila that I am just an email away. She dreamt of having a prosperous hometown, which I am sure you share such dream as well. All big things start with that first step.

More importantly, your pockets of Bansaleño hope will go a long, long way. Cheers!

653 Sanggumay Street, Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines (+639178238260) www.filipinodiasporagiving.org, ofw_philanthropy@yahoo.com

Filipino World War II veterans honored

by Rudy Arizala

Hereunder is a news item regarding such status. After almost 65 years it is only now that through a Resolution of the U.S. Senate it "reaffirms, recognizes, and honors the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of American democracy and their important contribution to the victorious outcome of World War II."

Please note that on 20 February 1946, then President Harry Truman stated: "Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946… " (Underscoring, supplied.)

The question is why did we fail or why did not the American government continue considering automatically the Philippine Army veterans "as nationals of the United States" beyond or after 4 July 1946? How many Filipino WW II veterans became "nationals of the United States" until 4 July 1946?

Methinks, this U.S. Senate Resolution should be read in conjunction with my piece, "15 November, Its Siginificance" about the Quezon-MacArthur Commonwealth Army which was incorporated into the USAFEE under the overall command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in July 1941.

US Senate recognizes RP WWII veterans

The United States Senate has adopted by unanimous consent Senate Resolution 307 that recognizes and honors the Filipino World War II veterans.

The resolution was introduced during the First Session of the 109th Congress by Virginia Senator George Allen and co-sponsored by Senators John Warner (R-Virginia), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Barbara Boxer (D-California), Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).

"Whereas the contributions of the Filipino people, and the sacrifices of their soldiers in World War II, have not been fully recognized: Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate reaffirms, recognizes, and honors the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of American democracy and their important contribution to the victorious outcome of World War II," the US Senate said in its resolution.''

The resolution follows in full:

''In introducing the resolution, the US senators recalled that in 1898, the Philippines Archipelago was acquired by the United States of America, became an organized United States territory in 1902, and, in preparation for her independence, a self-governing commonwealth in 1935.

They pointed out that the people of the Philippines and of the United States developed strong ties throughout the decades-long democratic transition of the island, compelling the United States to assume the responsibilities of defending the archipelago and protecting the people of the Philippines.

On July 26, 1941, anticipating the aggression of Japanese invasion forces in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the imminent conflict between the United States and Japan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order, calling the organized military forces of the Government of Commonwealth of the Philippines into armed service under the command of United States Army officers led by General Douglas MacArthur.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Government began a devastating four-year war with the United States with their stealth bombing attacks of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Clark Air Field, Philippines, and led to the loss of tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers and countless civilian casualties.

On February 20, 1946, then President Harry Truman stated, 'Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions. I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of the Philippine Army veterans.'

On October 17, 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation on the anniversary of the 1944 return of United States forces under General MacArthur to liberate the Philippines and said, 'I urge all Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino Veterans of World War II and honor them for their contribution to our freedom.'

On July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush, in his greetings to the Filipino WWII veterans said, 'More than 120,000 Filipinos fought with unwavering loyalty and great gallantry under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The combined United States-Philippine forces distinguished themselves by their valor and heroism in defense of freedom and democracy.'

Thousands of Filipino soldiers gave their lives in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor. These soldiers won for the United States the precious time needed to disrupt the enemy's plan for conquest in the Pacific. During the three long years following these battles, the Filipino people valiantly resisted a brutal Japanese occupation with an indomitable spirit and steadfast loyalty to America.''

ALMOST A YEAR AFTER FLASH FLOODS buried thousands of homes and families in Quezon, the men of General Nakar town are rising to carve a niche for themselves in the art market.

The works of the Banglos sculptors--former fishermen who were trained in sculpting wood early this year to give them an alternative source of income--have become an increasingly popular buy.

The Banglos sculptures, made of the very same logs that had cascaded down the mountains and destroyed the fishermen's homes, are the highlight of this year's Philippine Furniture Festival dubbed "Living the Dream" at SM Megamall on Edsa.

'Getting more'

"Whatever we have lost are being replaced little by little, and we're getting more. This [sculpting], for example, is something I never expected I would get," Arnel Revate, president of Banglos Sculptors, said in an interview during the festival opening on Friday.

Today, the Banglos sculptors have sold about P300,000 worth of sculptures in their past three exhibits at the Westin Philippine Plaza, Ultra and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

On Thursday, they delivered 2,500 small bowls made of different kinds of hard wood to Smart Communications.

Smart ordered the bowls as giveaways. The Banglos sculptors got P325,000 from the deal.

"Before, all we ever thought of doing with wood was charcoal," Revate said. A sack of charcoal, whether made from soft or hard wood, cost P50.

"We were angry at logs because they had caused us trouble. We didn't want to have anything to do with wood. But now we appreciate how they can give us life again," he said.

Half of the sculptors' sales go to the organization's fund and the other half to the sculptors themselves.

Cooperative

The Banglos sculptors are saving enough money to set up a cooperative that would sustain them during the off-peak season.

Revate, 36, was a fisherman in the coastal barangay of Banglos in General Nakar. Having lived there with his wife and two children since 1986, he was not new to floods.

Every year, from September to February, the Agos River overflows and floods the entire barangay, the water reaching past knee level.

The floods were even considered a "blessing" by most fishermen because they made it easier to catch the fish that came in the overflow, Revate said.

From blessing to curse

On Nov. 29 last year, Banglos' blessing became its curse. Days of heavy downpours created a river of mud and logs that furiously rolled down the mountains and crushed every house in its path.

Allan Sollano, his wife and four children moved houses four times in one night, each time the floods drowned their refuge. Finally, they found a safe spot on the roof of a cousin's concrete house.

"It still makes me sad to think of everything we have lost, to know that we can never build our home again in the place where I grew up," Sollano, 28, said.

"But there's nothing to do but accept it as part of life and move on," he said. Sollano is also a sculptor.

Moving on

Move on they did--literally and figuratively.

The people of Banglos--about 1,000 of them--have relocated to nearby Barangay Anoling. They are staying in houses built by Gawad Kalinga.

In April last year, they were trained by Smart Communications in sculpture, teaching them to make art out of the logs instead of selling them as charcoal.

About 30 former fishermen, along with some high school students, grabbed the chance to learn from expert Rey Paz Contreras. They graduated on May 13.

Drawing from memories of their lives before the tragic floods, the new sculptors chisel fish, reefs, birds, and mother and child images from the hard wood scattered in General Nakar.

Nursery

On display at the Megatrade Hall are sculptures ranging from P3,000 to P18,000.

A coffee table set depicting a black stallion made of ibano is sold for P75,000 while a wall decor, another stallion's head, is tagged at P60,000.

Then there is Handa, a sculpture from kamagong of a warrior shielding his son with a weapon; Palaban, a chicken ready to attack; Diana from red narra, a woman's torso priced at P18,000, and other sculptures of families.

While the leftover logs remain abundant in Quezon, the Banglos sculptors want to ensure that they would not have to fell trees in the future to sustain their craft.

They are also working to keep a nursery of seedlings for reforestation. They try to guard General Nakar's forests from illegal loggers, but they acknowledge that even local officials condone illegal logging.

"People take a lot of time to learn their lessons from nature. Last year's flood was a big disaster. We ourselves don't log, but nature does not choose whom it hits," Revate said.

Posted November 15, 2005

I. Introduction
A few weeks ago, we read from the Manila papers, the sad state of our armed forces. The Philippine government has reportedly decommissioned whatever remaining aging jet fighter planes we have; and the Philippine Navy lacked adequate naval vessels to patrol our maritime and territorial waters as well as our coastline which is longer than that of the United States. And recently, it was reported that our Congress has lukewarm attitude toward the request of the Department of National Defense for a budget of P3.9 billion to create 12 Army battalions, which is merely to replace those who retired or were discharged from the army. The Philippine army is asking money for 6,000 new recruits

Right now, according to newspaper reports, we have a standing army of 73,937 officers and men (5,455 officers and 68,482 enlisted men. This is composed of 9 infantry divisions and 5 engineering brigades, or 78 infantry battalions and 2 elite units. Every year no less than 3,000 leave the service for various reasons. As of September this year there are already 163 officers and 4,412 enlisted men applying for retirement.

If President Manuel L. Quezon were alive today, what would be his reaction to such request of the Department of National Defense?

To answer said question, let us turn back the pages of Philippine history, on 15 November 1935, to be exact.

II. The Philippine Commonwealth; First Law Adopted
Those who were of school age prior to the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific in 1941, would remember that one early Friday morning on 15 November 1935, in front of the old Legislative building on Padre Burgos Avenue, the inaugural ceremonies of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the oath-taking of newly elected President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmeña, Sr., were held in the presence of foreign guests such as U.S. Speaker of the House Joseph W. Byrns ; U.S. Vice President John N. Garner; U.S. Secretary George Dern; and scores of diplomatic representatives from foreign countries. The Commonwealth Government as provided in the Tydings-McDuffie Act is preparatory to the grant of Philippine Independence after a ten-year period from 1935. In other words, the Commonwealth is a semiautonomous government of the Filipino people until full independence is finally attained.

Aside from the inaugural ceremonies in connection with the establishment of the Commonwealth Government and oath-taking of the newly-elected officials headed by President Manuel L. Quezon, the other significant fact, perhaps already forgotten by most Filipinos today, is the first law adopted by the Commonwealth Government. It was the "National Defense Act."

The Philippine 1935 Constitution provides in the "Declaration of Principles" that while the Philippines renounced was as an instrument of national policy and adopted the generally accepted principles of international law as a part of the law of the nation, the defense of the state was the prime duty of government. The Constitution likewise laid down that it was the compulsory duty of all citizens to render personal military or civil service, whether in time of peace or war.

President Quezon, determined to carry out the national defense policy, said in a speech n 26 November 1935 before the National Assembly:

"Self defense is the supreme right of mankind no more sacred to the individual than to the nation, the interests of which are immeasurably of greater significance and extent. A threat against the nation involves not alone the life of one individual but of millions; not the welfare and fortune of a single family but of all. . ."

Consequently, on 21 December 1935, the National Defense Act (Commonwealth Act No. 1) was approved by the National Assembly. It provided for an army of two elements: 1) a regular force of approximately 10,000 men including the Philippine Constabulary with a strength of about 7,000 and 2) a reserve force that would be augmented each year by approximately 40,000 men who had received 51/2 months of intensive training. The first top-ranking officers appointed to the army were Paulino Santos as chief of staff, and General Reyes, Basilio Valdes and Vicente Lim as senior officers. At the end of 1935, the National Defense Law called for a total outlay of P15,996,531.00. For this purpose, the national defense program was to have an economic dimension. By patronizing local products whenever possible, the army was to help build up local industries. Quezon´s concept of a "Citizen Army" like that of Switzerland was that in time of peace it would be used exclusively to the arts of peace and agriculture, to industry and trade the sciences, and indeed to every activity that made for progress. President Quezon also stressed the fact that the Philippines should establish a factory of small arms and ammunitions to make Filipinos independent on foreign supplies so that according to him: "in the event of trouble we can depend upon ourselves."

For the building of a Filipino Army, Quezon hired Gen. Douglas MacArthur as military "advisor" with a salary of P36,000 (US$18,000) per year, a personal yearly allowance of P30,000 (US$15,000), and accommodations in a fully air-conditioned seven-room suite atop the Manila Hotel. Quezon was so impressed with MacArthur´s handling of the National Defense Plan. As a token of his appreciation for the general´s efforts and "constructive statesmanship," Quezon wrote the Speaker of the National Assembly that he was raising the status of MacArthur to that of a field marshal--the highest military rank known in international usage.

The elevation of MacArthur to the rank of "Field Marshal" raised eyebrows if not consternation at the Pentagon. The rank was unknown in the United States Army, though in international military circles it was generally accepted as superior to that of a department or fleet commander.

III. World War II
The MacArthur-Quezon Commonwealth Army continued to develop both in terms of basic reorganization and numerical strength. In 1940, MacArthur stated in a press conference that 30,000 recruits were to be trained each year so that by 1946 the "citizen army" would include some thirty divisions of approximately 300,000 men. The plan was to reach, in the ensuing twenty years, its then estimated maximum of ninety divisions, comprising almost a million men.

By January 1941 on the eve of the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific, there were 466 officers and 3,666 enlisted men in the regular army, and 132,000 men organized into approximately thirteen divisions in the reserve. As an adjunct to the Philippine Army, the Quezon-MacArthur plan also called for an offshore patrol of small, fast motor torpedo boats and an Army Air Corps whose chief function was coastal defense.

The Philippine National Defense Plan, however, was not without critics. Some ´pointed out that the Quezon-MacArthur army might not be able to provide adequately for the defense of the country because of the omission of provisions for a substantial naval protection for an insular country with a coastline longer than that of the United States. They likewise pointed out the lack of sufficient "air cover" to protect the entire Philippine archipelago.

Later, Quezon himself admitted to the National Assembly his impression that the Philippines could not be effectively defended either then or for "many years to come." The conflict in Europe and the reverses suffered by the Chinese troops before the Japanese convinced Quezon that MacArthur´s plans were inadequate. He realized the truth of the criticism that the MacArthur plan had not adequately provided for the air and naval defense of the Philippines. The truth was few American military leaders in the Philippines were confident of successfully meeting a foreign invasion of the islands. They were aware that the islands did not come first in American priorities. They hoped, however, that enough military forces would be in the Philippines to resist the attack until reinforcements arrived from America´s Pacific Fleet based in San Diego, California.

In view of the darkening war clouds in the Pacific, on 16 July 1941, the Philippine Army became part of the American Armed Forces, and Roosevelt named MacArthur as Commander of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Quezon wrote a congratulatory letter to MacArthur on his new appointment and said he was "fully confident that you´ll attain in this difficult assignment the same success that has crowned your every endeavor in the past."

To prevent the Philippines from immediately being overrun by the Japanese Forces, American plans called for a small American army in the Philippines to retreat into the Bataan Peninsula to stage a defensive action. Corregidor and the other islands in the entrance to Manila Bay were fortified in an attempt to deny the Japanese the use of the port of Manila. The garrisons on Bataan and Corregidor were to hold out against a Japanese attack until major efforts could be mounted from the United States.

The rest is history. The Filipino soldiers trained by MacArthur under the National Defense Act of the Commonwealth fought bravely side-by-side with the American forces from the beaches of Luzon up to Bataan and Corregidor. Ill-equipped and lacking in food supplies, they have no alternative except to surrender in 1942 to superior enemy forces Most of the Filipino soldiers after fighting in Bataan and Corregidor either formed or joined guerrilla forces; engaged in guerrilla warfare for three years; and helped the American forces in the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces in 1945.

IV. Conclusion- Defending the Realm, Then and Now
According to a story, in preparation for Philippine Independence, Quezon one day went to see General MacArthur, then the chief of staff of the United States Army, and asked him pointedly: "General, do you think that the Philippines, once independent, can defend itself? If you cannot give me an honest and direct answer, please ignore the question." The General MacArthur reportedly replied: " I know they can. By this I mean that you can organize such defense as will make the conquest of the Philippines so expensive and so costly in life and money that no nation in its senses will attempt to do it."

On such concept, the Quezon-MacArthur Commonwealth Army was conceived, organized and made to function. It was basically a "Citizen Army" which in time of peace, according to Quezon, would be devoted mainly to the arts of peace and indeed to every activity that lead to social and economic progress. This could be also a valid basis for our concept of national defense these days but with the additional consideration that we have also to fight or wage a war on terrorism which requires different concept, organization and strategy. But by all means, let us not also forget to keep a respectable standing army for the defense of our territory, sovereignty and independence as enjoined by the fundamental law of the land.

If Quezon were alive today, he would not hesitate to grant the budget being requested by the Department of National Defense to create new 12 Army battalions. Defending the realm, then and now, is still the prime duty of government and its citizens. To my mind, that was the significance of 15 November 1935.

A year after the deluge

By Rudy A. Arizala

I. Introduction
Our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in his Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo ( My Hometown Memory), wrote nostalgically: "Ah, tender childhood, lovely town. Rich fount of my felicities. . . . Come back as the birds return. At the budding of the flowers."

So, as a native of Infanta, I am also filled with nostalgia about our hometown especially after one year from the deluge - - when on 29 November 2004, flash floods wrought havoc to Infanta, Quezon. It may be recalled that Infanta, together with the neighboring towns of Real and Gen. Nakar in Quezon Province suffered loss of lives, destruction to properties, homes, roads and bridges as well as farmlands.

Foremost in the mind of expatriates like me is: "Have the people of Infanta recovered from the deluge?" If so, to what extent and what are the things still to be done; and how are we going to do them?

II. The Good News
According to ICDAI (Infanta Integrated Community Development Assistance Inc.), agriculture is back in operation. The once barren lands covered by mud and slime, debris and strewn logs, are now teeming not only with luxuriant green rice fields but also with vegetable gardens, especially those lands near river banks consisting of around 50 hectares of land. In-between those rows and rows of vegetable gardens are corn and peanut plantations. The irrigation canals are back in operation except in some isolated areas where the land became higher than the canals due to accumulated eroded soil brought by the floods from the mountains. More than 2,000 families have returned to planting and raising chickens, hogs and other farm animals.

Supply of potable water through pipes is back although there is need to monitor the safety of drinking water due to some silts that managed to remain inside the pipes. Homes / houses are being built or has been rehabilitated.

A coordinating Council was established through the assistance of the Local Government Units (LGU) and ICDAI (Editor's Note: The Social Action Center has been working with various agencies to address many issues left behind by the typhoons of 2004. The SAC has been issuing reports -- see postings in August and September -- to Metro Infanta Foundation on their activities). It is called Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC). This town coordinating Council provides a series of action plans on workshops for community based disaster risk management; warning systems and rehabilitation. In addition to the MDCC, the town of Infanta has, through ICDAI, satellite and aerial maps which enabled officials to have a "post disaster map" and a GPS satellite ground topographical survey. Consequently, Infanta town officials and NGO´s now know in their contingency planning the contours and heights of Infanta landscapes thus, helping them decide where to build houses; determine which part of the village or barangay will get flooded first, where to install "alert systems" and determine the timeframe within which to evacuate the people to safer or higher grounds in case of flood.

Thus, through the measures mentioned above, the people of Infanta were jolted into inspiring them again to have hopes and dreams despite the destruction wrought by the flash floods last year. It reawaken their self-confidence. They became aware that "food rations" handed by the government and NGO´s have ended and nobody will provide them food, water, clothing, shelter and their basic necessities forever. There are other people and places in the world which also need assistance and help. The people of Infanta have to make do with what they have. In other words, self-help or self-reliance is important.

III. Problems Still to be Resolved
Despite the above accomplishments or recovery of the town of Infanta, there are still some problems to be resolved. The appearance of "mentally disturbed" individuals has been discovered or noticed. This is probably due to the "shock" they suffered or experienced during the flash-floods such as lose of love ones, sudden destruction of homes and properties and deprivation of means of livelihood. With the help of a doctor (psychiatrist) from the Philippine General Hospital, the town was able to start addressing this mental health problem. ICDAI provided a counseling room for this purpose where people could receive basic training in mental health care. These "barefoot" mental health counselors under the supervision of top level psychiatrists will screen those who need psychiatrist attention and those who would need simple family care.

The other aspect is to have a program of comprehensive land use in Infanta and surrounding areas; drawing up of "hazard maps"; contingency plans, early warning signals or system; and how to tame or make the Agos river less destructive when the rains come or when the flash-floods come cascading again from the Sierra Madre mountains.

So far, what has been down by the people of Infanta? Hereunder is a resume of those accomplishments:

1. Agriculture is back although not yet totally rehabilitated. Food production is being done in large scale and some "marketing problems" might occur.

2. Irrigation system is back but needs further improvement especially those farmlands which could no longer be reached by irrigation canals because said lands have become higher than the level of the canals.

3. Potable water are now available in homes of Infanta. But the water supply system needs further expansion to reach villages and barangays.

4. Houses or homes are being built or repaired.

5. All necessary studies for rehabilitation and expansion have been finished or being done such as sustainable agricultural fisheries and forestry plans.

6. While agricultural plans have been put in place, a comprehensive land use project is necessary due to change in topography of the landscapes of Infanta.

7. Emergency training / exercises are being conducted to make the people aware of what to do in case of another natural calamities.

8. Contingency plans for 16 barangays have been installed.

9. The MDCC is now working like a well-oiled machine.

10. Studies on Agos River is being done.

How are the Infantahins meeting or able to solve the problems?

1. Thru spirit of "self-help" and assistance from the government and NGO´s.

2. Thru openness to "collegial" and "multi-sectoral" leaderships.

3. Through prayers and faith in the Divine Providence.

IV. Conclusion
Thus, within a brief span of one year, through the efforts of Infantahins themselves assisted by the government and NGO´s, the people of Infanta have been inspired "to hope and dream again despite the destruction" brought about by the deluge. We have to make do with whatever we have. However, we should not "rest on our laurels". We should be vigilant and accomplish what are still to be done as mentioned above until the vision of Infanta become a reality. And what is that vision?

As stated in the book Infanta, Passage to the Pacific published by the BPI Foundation Inc., Makati City, 2004: "We envision Infanta to be a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous community of God loving, self-reliant and self-directing citizenry, with a diversified industry, progressive economy, balanced ecology, and a local leadership that is committed to social justice and equality."

Then and only then we could say out hometown of Infanta, to paraphrase Rizal´s recollection of his hometown -- a "lovely town rich in fountain of felicities and memories shall come back as the birds return at the budding of the flowers"-- when once again our formerly barren fields are luxuriant green, teeming with vegetables, crops, fruits and golden grains of palay. But more than nostalgia, the importance and future of our hometown is built on local autonomy, self-reliance and faith in the Divine Providence of the people.

Posted Nov. 4, 2005

The happy campers: Shirley Bunag, Jean, Bong Solte and his wife, Nory, Irene Sollesa and husband, Bill Villamor, Loy Ofreneo, Viola Sollesa Garcia and her husband, Diego Garcia, Ada Cajunban, Mely and Val Gonzales.