BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
HEARING STORIES left and right about the Kanlaon Volcano eruption and the evacuation thereafter, my heart melts.
As usual, donations of anything, including cash for La Castellana evacuees, literally and figuratively flooded.
But after a week of the sudden eruption, the threat of lahar flow and phreatic or magmatic eruption remain, as warned by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Thus, the number evacuees are rising in eight evacuation centers in the town proper of La Castellana. The latest count as of Monday, June 10, reached over 4,000.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas is now taking a move to clear the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) per advice from Phivolcs.
OCD Region 6 director Raul Fernandez is really fit for his job. He’s kinda media-savvy and knows how to remain calm amid pressure. He gives appropriate answers to questions with sensitivity. Superb!
PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION
Going back to the evacuation matter, one that caught my attention were the children’s party (everyday) with unlimited popcorn, hot cakes and palamig (cold drinks). And there’s Jim de Dios, the magician entertaining the children. All these are courtesy of the office of Negros Occidental 5th District’s Cong. Dino Yulo, enlivening the evacuees’ spirits.
I talked to Cong. Dino about this. The solon said it is part of the psychosocial intervention, as suggested to him by a psychologist.
Well, talking about psychosocial intervention, www.study.com refers to it as therapies or actions used to help a person reintegrate into society in a healthful way when there has been some disconnect with society.
Dr. Donnalyn Guerrero-Lastiema, psychologist at Hearticulate Psychological Center (HPC), suggested that psychological first aid (PFA) must be given immediately to the evacuees. It will help evacuees cope with post-traumatic disorder, she added.
EMOTIONAL HAVOC
We, Filipinos, are known for our resilience. No matter what happens, we stand and we move on. But there is a certain degree of emotional havoc beyond our control. Such is heart-wrenching!
Kanlaon’s eruption on June 3 was sudden. No one predicted it, hence traumatic. Living in an evacuation center for days or weeks is worrisome.
Yes, there’s plenty of food and drinks – no problem at all – but there is a “silent angst” beyond utterances.
In a nutshell, thanks to Cong. Dino for the “magic”. Though “not permanent”, it offers temporary relief.
The trauma is there but hopefully the evacuees will think that sa pihak bahin, there’s always “magic” in life, full “tricks” to embrace.
As American author and coach Tonny Robbins had said, “If we believe in magic, we will live in a magical life.”/PN
