Duration of the Project: January 2021 -
Project Site: Hapao, Municipality of Hungduan, Ifugao Province, Philippines
Fund: Donation from various Japanese people
Person in Charge :
Mariko Sorimachi, CGN
Joseph Madiwo, Hapao, Hungduan
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SITIO NAGGAWA
A long time ago, there was a river coming from Mt. Napulawan. This river was sub-divided into two, one of which is now known as barangay Hapao. As years passed by, the river continued to flow through one area while the other side was left dried and exhausted. Our ancestors decided to take advantage of this and constructed rice fields in the dried areas. This place was later called by our ancestors as Nagawwa which means "located in the middle/center". It is based on the historical background of the place being located at the center of the two sub-divided rivers.
My grandfather named "Yogyog" helped build this rice field. They were in the middle of rice field construction when the second world war began. So, our grandparents together with their families evacuated to the mountains to survive. Unfortunately, my grandfather, Yogyog was killed by the Japanese soldiers and was buried elsewhere, so his remains are still missing to this day. After the war, my grandmother "Maligne" took her children and returned to the land they once left and continued to cultivate the rice field that was constructed by my grandfather "Yogyog". Since then, the rice terraces have been the source of our living.
On October 1996 my parents built a small house near our rice field for easy access. My parents were the second family who stayed in this place during that time. As years went by, the relatives and family members of those who constructed the rice fields in this area decided to move here as well until it grew into a small village. When I got married in the year 2001 my parents gave me a small space to build a house and start a family. Last 2004, the Japanese government donated an amount of more than 7 million pesos to our local organization (MLGU) for the construction of a river flood control station here in Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao. During that time the river started devastating the rice fields. Because of the construction of the river flood control station, we felt safe from floods being drawn by the river. However, as time passed by, we encountered lots of strong typhoons, heavy rainfall we encountered earthquakes as well. Natural disasters such as typhoon Ondoy, Yolanda, and Lawin slowly destroyed the constructed river flood control station.
Last year, on November 14, 2020, typhoon Ullysses brought strong rain and drew big stones. The big volume of sand destroyed the river flood control station here in Hapao, Hungduan. It was the river control station protecting our village. The river control collapsed and destroyed some of the houses, fish ponds, and even flooded our crops. The only river control station which we considered our refuge and shield from calamities for more than two decades collapsed causing a huge flood in our villages. We live in fear constantly worrying when the next flood will hit us especially for the children and the elderly.
After typhoon Ulysses, we made an effort to get back on our feet and started rebuilding our village. We were in constant fear of a flood or the next natural disaster that would hit our village. Our village was in a very vulnerable state. On Nov 29, 2020, Miss Mariko Sorimachi a very good friend of mine whom I met during my guide work sent me a message asking us how we were and about our current situation. I felt relieved when she asked me what she could do to help us. So I sent some pictures of our village and sent her a message on what possible damages the river flood control could cause if not reconstructed. She then left me a message saying that she will try to find some good-hearted donors to finance the reconstruction of the destroyed river control station.
Even without assurance, I felt happy. Life during these times is hard due to the pandemic. I continued to keep my faith in God, I believe he will protect us and will not allow us to perish. Our prayer was answered on Dec. 20, 2020 Ms. Mariko Sorimachi sent me a message that her friend in Manila was willing to finance the flood control. I could not express my gratitude enough. I read the message again and again. There are people who saw our need, I tried to fight back my tears but they kept falling like the rain of typhoon Ulysses. I shared the good news with my community, everyone was overjoyed, despite the pandemic and the flood, we were blessed and protected by God and the good news brought by the message spread the spirit of Christmas throughout the whole village.
We, the community member of Sitio Nagawwa, Hapao greatly express our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Mariko Sorimachi for her initiative and concern by sourcing out funds for the rehabilitation of the damaged river flood control. May your sacrifices, help, and love be rewarded with uncounted blessings. You are part of our history and we are grateful for having you.
To the donor, we may not know you personally but we want you to know that we are very proud of your generosity in unselfishly sharing the blessings through the provision of funds for the realization of this river flood control reconstruction project. We are grateful for having you as one of the kindhearted donors in improving our place. We acknowledge all these things and we owe this to you. Longing to see you someday, sharing the successes of this project.
To Cordillera Green Network, as a channel for this blessing that you have shared in this community.
We look forward to a fruitful and continuous partnership between the MLGU, the donor, and the Cordillera Green network headed by Ms. Mariko Sorimachi. No words can repay all the blessings that you've shared with us.
Thank you very much.
JOSEPH A. MADIWO
Community Leader
PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Construction of Nagawwa River flood Control As of February 11, 2021
December 23,2020 I coordinated with Hon. Casan Dumulag, the very supportive Mayor and talked about the project. We agreed to sign any possible documents for the said project for the benefit of the stakeholders in Nagawwa. The mayor instructed his engineers to validate the site and prepare the program of work. When there was an assurance of financial support from the Cordillera Green Network through the leadership of Ms. Mariko Sorimachi, I gathered all the head of the family in the community and planned for the activities to be undertaken. So I consolidated and prepared the work plan according to what we agreed with the community members and send it to Ms. Mariko Sorimachi. The next step, was tasking. I assigned a person responsible for each activity to ensure that there is smooth implementation of the project. The activities includes purchasing of materials, person in-charge of ferrying, loading and unloading, manual hauling of cement from road to the project site, production of washed sand, gravel and stone, assigned one in preparing food for the workers, and in-charge of photo documentation, financial disbursements/matters and other unidentified activities.
As project coordinator, I closely coordinate with the MLGU, BLGU and monitor the daily activities, work in the project site, prepare accomplishments and progress of the project. Ensures that the materials needed are readily available at all times. Documentation (Written and photo) is also made every project site visit and monitoring. I also check if the progress of the project is aligned with the planned program and activities.
On January 4, 2021 that was the start of the project. Detouring, deep digging/ excavation of the foundation of the project was made until January 11, 2021. We also started building the foundation utilizing big stones, sand, gravel and cement, mixture the aggregates following the program of work by the skilled workers.
LIST OF ASSIGNED PROJECT INCHARGE PER ACTIVITY
Purchasing & loading/unloading: Joseph Madiwo
Hauling of Cement: Lorenzo Dama-on and Jhasper Klient Madiwo
Gathering of Stones: Romeo Estima
Quarrying of Sand: Napoleon Estima
Food Preparation: Jonemi and Hannah Madiwo
Photo Documentation: Joseph Madiwo
