COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Aug. 12--The financial crisis that Typhoon Pablo brought to the homes of affected Comvalenyos has failed to crush the value of honesty and goodwill that Comvalenyos, in general, hold dear. These probably are the values upon which the spirit of bayanihan, volunteerism, and unity have been built upon.
One tangible typical example which showed this value among Comvalenyos was the lost-and-found P77,071.00 together with some personal items that was recently returned to its owners.
On August 7, Provincial Governor Arturo T. Uy at his office, met four golden-hearted people from Upper and Lower Luno-Luno of Barangay Sawangan in Mawab. The meeting was arranged by Vice Governor Manuel E. Zamora who introduced the four as Amorsolo Talabok, Emiliana Pabilik, Tawing Josol and Rolly Rubio. They brought with them a bag containing a cash worth P77,071.00 and other personal items particularly hand towel, child cloth, and a bib.
Recalling how they found the bage, Talabok told the governor that as they were riding a single motor vehicle on their way home from selling vegetables at Mawab public market on August 5, passengers from a fast moving single motor heading towards their opposite direction, unknowingly dropped their bag on the road.
Talabok and his companions tried to call their attention but failed, so they stopped and, picked up the bag. They were all surprised to find a huge amount of money inside the bag. However, there was no other thing which could help them identify the owners. So, they decided to take it home.
Talabok said the four of them have had difficult life. Just like many others, they were also typhoon Pablo victims. After Pablo, they started out ekking out a living through selling vegetables. They all were trying to save as much as they could but unfortunately, Talabok lost about P1,000, on the day the bag with money was found because he mistakenly returned a change to a customer. His wife was dismayed because she was hoping to save much for their grand daughter’s medication.
Despite such lose, Talabok and his companions were still guided by the virtue of honesty. They never allowed themselves to fall into the trap of temptation. They were worried also about the plight of the bag’s owner who certainly by that time, had grown panicked. A number of questions bugged their minds. Talabok spent sleepless nights, thinking to whom the money should be given back.
The next day, somebody came to their place, asking if anyone had seen a bag, describing it and its contents. Though the woman gave the accurate description, still they didn’t give the bag to her.
Instead, as early as 4:00 A.M. the next morning, they left their place and went to YK FM Station in Nabunturan to report and seek assistance from Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora. They wanted to get in touch with the money’s owner. The Vice Governor happily told them that the owner had earlier informed his station about it and he was waiting for any feedback.
An arrangement was made. Vice Governor Zamora brought them to the Capitol to turn over the bag and its content to the owner with the presence of Governor Uy. The Governor witnessed the turn-over of the money and other items to the couple Denver and Cherlyn Barabat of New Bataan. He felt glad to have known honest Comvalenyos whom the entire province should be proud of. The governor cited them as epitome of “golden-hearted people.”
Upon knowing that they were typhoon victims, he immediately instructed Bonifacio Monleon, provincial community relations officer for Mawab, to visit them so the provincial government could extend them shelter assistance.
He also wrote a letter to Melody Gabini, the province’s liaison officer assigned at Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City, to facilitate the free medication of Talabok’s granddaughter.
Governor Uy also shelled out from his own pocket, P3,000 and handed it for the four of them to share as their pocket money home. (Grace Almedilla, IDS-Comva/ piaxi, jmda)
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