‘Blessing’ showers over San Jorge hinterlands

By ELI C. DALUMPINES, (PIA Samar)
September 3, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  – For years access to potable water has been a problem in most of the interior barangays of this town. But, as "Operation blessing" extends help to these villages, this problem will likely to become a thing of the past.

Volunteer workers of CBN’s (Christian Broadcasting Network) "Operation Blessing," Bernard Marcelo and Chito Zafra, in an interview Monday, informed that they have been working in the interior barangays of this town for almost a year now in providing potable water to the people.

According to them, the project has already constructed 18 deep wells to 17 barangays which placed potable water as their top priority, not to mention the five units of public toilets which they were able to construct in five other barangays.

Marcelo and Zafra though felt bad over newspaper reports identifying them with a local politician but said they will not bother entertain the issue as their main concern is to meet the needs of the villagers.

To recall, San Jorge Mayor Joseph Grey tagged the project as pro-Inday since the implementers are closely working with Vice Mayor Marcelina Yu.

Zafra, however, clarified that they will not allow themselves to be used by politicians saying that CBN is a Christian organization that is concern only in giving humanitarian aid and in preaching the Gospel.

He explained that they really tried to establish links with Mayor Grey but said that he is not always around whenever they visit his office; hence, they coordinated with the Vice Mayor instead. He vowed though that they will try to seek audience with the mayor to explain their side.

He stressed that, as a humanitarian organization, "Operation Blessing" extends various assistance to needy communities ranging from livelihood programs to water and sanitation, depending on the needs of particular recipient communities.