The twin disasters of December’s Tropical Storm Sendong and the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Negros Oriental last February had brought the two worst disasters on record.
Sendong inundated a big part of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, and claimed several lives and destroyed millions worth of property.
As people were struggling to get back on their feet, the earthquake struck, burying two villages in the 1sy District, claiming about 70 lives, and destroying millions more in infrastructure.
Some of those who lived through World War II said the uncertainty they felt back then came back to haunt them in their twilight years.
In the weeks that followed the disasters, especially the earthquake, people in the northern towns of Negros Oriental continued to live in fear. The aftershocks left people confused and emotionally shattered.
Then, a miracle happened. Thousands of well-meaning people from all over the world gave part of themselves in a generous outpouring of assistance to the disaster victims, which continues to this day. Day after day, people came to give food, money, clothes, and housing materials to help the victims get back on their feet.
The miracles keep coming. The holding of the POC-PSC National Games in Negros Oriental is another miracle. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
This is the biggest sporting event to ever come to Negros Oriental. The PNG aims to find talents who will be playing in our national teams.
For the Negrenses who have been through the worst of times, the PNG is an event that brings hope. Sports brings out the best in people. It teaches people to excel, and aim to go faster, higher, stronger.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, no doubt, have gone the extra mile to ensure this event’s success. Their full cooperation and support is a testament to the resiliency of the people of Negros Oriental, through their leaders. They do not just want the athletes to compete; they want everyone to have that Dumaguete & Negros Oriental Experience.
“We have lined up a lot of activities to make the athletes more enthusiastic, make them feel that this is not just [another] sports competiton but some sort of vacation,” Sagarbarria said.
We, Dumaguetenos and Negrenses can all do no less by extending our support for this event in whatever way we can. This is our way of showing the world we are ready for the challenges ahead.
