Hitoma Flood Control Project: Showcase of Filipino-Taiwanese Cultural Engagement

Caramoran, Catanduanes - In what is now emerging as showcase of Filipino-Taiwanese lasting community development collaboration , the 19-member fourth batch of volunteers of the Eden Social Welfare Foundation ended their 10-day fruitful and memorable community flood control project in the Hitoma area in the third-class municipality of Caramoran, Catanduanes on July 9, 2010. This time, the batch was headed by two dynamic young volunteers, namely: Ms. Yang Yang Wang and Mr. Yu-Hsin Tung.

Accordingly, in recognition of said noble activities conducted by the Taiwan-based non-government organization founded on December 1, 1982 by Ms. Liu Hsia, the barangay officials headed by Barangay chairman Noel M. Brizo tendered a farewell party at the Hitoma Plaza on July 8. Once again, this send-off party provided them the opportunity to show case their respective cultural heritage and Asian mutual fellowship.

The batch (16 females and 3 males) started their community work on June 29 by gathering stones needed in the construction early in the morning and conducted teach-ins on drawing and interaction with students and out-of-school youths in coordination with Mr. Nestor Emerenciana, the school principal of Caramoran School of Fisheries.

Initially, the collaborative efforts between the Taiwan-based Foundation started last June 2009 through the efforts of Mrs. Eva Rubia , an overseas Filipina workers based in Taiwan, who personally accompanied the pioneer batch when incumbent Barangay chairman Noel Brizo accepted their humanitarian initiative.

"The fifth batch of the Foundation will arrive sometime this July composed of 13 volunteers" according to Brizo, the energetic, soft-spoken barangay leader.(Buddy Isorena)

Source: Bicol Peryodiko