Rappler: Bogo City after Haiyan: Cleaning, rebuilding, healing

POSTED ON 11/20/2013 11:25 AM on Rappler.com

BOGO CITY, Philippines – “Walay pabor-pabor. Hatag sa tanan. Lihok.” (No favoritism. Give to all. Move.)

With this marching order, Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr dismissed his meeting with barangay (village) captains at a sports complex, the base for relief operations in this northern Cebu city reeling from Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Named after the mayor’s father, the Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum is not just the drop-off point for aid. It is where officials now work after Haiyan brought down the newly built city hall’s ceiling, roof and windows.

Restoring power lines in Bogo City ©City Government of Bogo

Known as the center for trade and commerce in northern Cebu, Bogo City is now grappling with the lack of electricity, damaged schools and hospitals, and homelessness for 90% of its people. The city is home to over 80,000 residents. Thirteen died in Bogo, among the over 4,000 fatalities in central Philippines.

Yet city employees and authorities are making do and getting organized. On blackboards, they keep track of the casualties, damages, and aid trickling in to the 29 barangays. They are determined not to make their community helpless.

An Israeli doctor performs a physical check up to his patient at the Israel Mobile Hospital in Bogo City.
©City Government of Bogo

“We are relying on donations but it’s not a total doleout. Starting Monday, the city government is employing 100 people per barangay. We call it cash for work. We pay them and then they have to clean up the city,” Martinez told Rappler on Monday, November 18.

Read full story here: Bogo City after Haiyan

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The Bogo Hymn

Lyrics by: Teodoro “Dodong” Pedroza BOGO DAKBAYAN NGA MATAHUM, SA 'YANG KATAWHAN GIPANGGA, GIAMPINGAN SA ATONG LALAWIGAN, MISULBONG ANG KAHAYAG DI HITUPNGAN PADAYON BOGO, PADAYON PADAYON AYAW PAGHUNONG KAY ANG KALANGITAN NAGADAN-AG SA IMONG DALAN ANG GASA SA KAHITAS-AN LAWOD SA KATUBHAN KALUBIHAN, UG MAY KAMAISAN ANG IMONG KADAGATAN PUNO SA KAISDAAN ANG IMONG PALIBOT SA KATAWHAN GIKAIB-GAN BOGO DAKBAYAN NGA MATAHUM, SA 'YANG KATAWHAN GIPANGGA, GIAMPINGAN SA ATONG LALAWIGAN, MISULBONG ANG KAHAYAG DI HITUPNGAN PADAYON BOGO, PADAYON PADAYON AYAW PAGHUNONG KAY ANG KALANGITAN NAGDAN-AG SA IMONG DALAN KAY ANG KALANGITAN NAGDAN-AG SA IMONG.... DA... LAN...

Mobile Legends Tournament

Registration is now open for City of Bogo's Mobile Legends Tournament. The tournament is open to all residents and non-residents of Bogo City. Interested gamers may register at Hey! Jang located just beside the Bogo City Amphitheatre - look for April Kaye Racaza. You may also contact +639382215726 Registration Fee is at 300 PER PERSON. Each team is given the freedom to register either 5 Team Members or 6. Free registration is awarded to the 6th member of each team. Upon registration, please provide a photocopy of your valid ID and your latest cedula. Registration forms will be provided and filled out in the Registration Venue. For other inquiries, you may visit the designated registration site or message the number provided above.

Pag-IBIG Fund Service Center Opens In Bogo City

The Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund) recently opened its new Service Center in the City of Bogo to bring its services closer to its members. During the opening, a total of 25 clients availed of the services (concerning printout of contributions, Multi–Purpose Loans, membership verification and receiving of Multi–Purpose Loan applications). The Bogo Service Center will also serve Pag-ibig members from in the municipalities of San Remigio , Tabuelan, Borbon, Tabogon, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos. Mayor Martinez , through Councilor Rodriguez, thanked Pag-IBIG Fund “for coming over so that our constituents will not travel far just to avail of the services they deserve.”

The Bogo Times

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