December 16, 2021-1:30pm Super Typhoon "Odette" made landfall in Surigao del Norte, among the towns ravaged by its monstrous winds and heavy rains is our very own Mainit. With winds as strong as 260kph, typhoon Odette left a trail of fallen trees, blown off rooftops and wrecked houses before leaving at 3:10pm local time on Dec. 17, 2021. The aftermath left by its trail of destruction caused the town to lose electricity, clean water and even cellular signal. Residents scoured to look for potable water, candles, food and even signal so that they could deliver a message to their loved ones, telling them they survived.
"Makaluntay man mag tan-aw","Unhon lamang ini pagtindog nan isab" are some of the sentiments you can hear from the towns folk after seeing the damage left by the typhoon. One can be shell shocked from the massive devastation everywhere. In many parts of the town and municipalities, many were left with homes completely destroyed. Yet three weeks after "Odette", with heavy hearts the townspeople of Mainit continue to carry on, even managing to put up a smile and celebrating the festive season in spite of the tragedy that has fallen upon them. Showing what it means to be a Mainitnon, Nag tambayayongay an kada isa! (Lending a hand to each other) that we may look past this typhoon and move to a better future.
Tambayayong Mainit Inc. on its own part, now lends its hand by sharing some of the load with the the towns rehabilitation. It has launched the "Tambayayongay Pa-Atup" Program helping the residents by providing roofing materials to help with the reconstruction of the houses damaged by Typhoon Odette. As the start of a new year has graced us, may we continue to give back to the community which has embraced us all so well. Within the remnants of tragedy our town will rise again.
Mainit mubangon kita.
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