GMA Kapuso Foundation serves El Niño affected families in Maguindanao | GMANetwork.com - Foundation - Articles

As Maguindanao was placed under the state of calamity, a team from the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) immediately conducted an Operation Bayanihan.

GMA Kapuso Foundation serves El Niño affected families in Maguindanao

February 22 2016

By GIAN GABRIELA A. MANUEL

Soil in farm lands parched and cracked under the scorching heat of the sun, dry leaves coiled around dead stems and branches, spoiled crops – months of El Niño have left barangays in Maguindanao with scarcity in food, limited access to water and damaged crops.

Citizens have resorted to alternative food, such as tiki-tiki or crushed corn kernels that are originally intended as food for livestock animals. Kayos, a poisonous wild crop, is also being served to fill hungry stomachs. Delicate and complex steps must be taken during the preparation of kayos, in order to remove the toxins and avoid incidents of poisoning and dizziness. For three days, it must be placed under the sun and washed in running water.

As Maguindanao was placed under the state of calamity, a team from the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) was immediately sent to provide assistance and relief goods to those affected by the severe drought.

During the travel and transport of goods from General Santos to Cotabato, the GMAKF team had been warned several times of the on-going clashes between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the military. Despite the risks that the armed conflict imposed, their sense of duty and service to the Filipino people prevailed. The team continued to distribute relief goods to 12, 000 individuals, belonging to the native tribe of Teduray. They also had a soup kitchen and fed 250 school children of Pilar Elementary School.

As provinces affected by the severe drought continue to endure and strive to survive for the remaining six months of El Niño, the GMA Kapuso Foundation continues to be on guard and in the frontline of both man-made and natural calamities.

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