LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A number of government and civic organizations from different parts of the Cordillera gave the hundreds of typhoon “Pepeng” victims a bountiful Christmas treat during Christmas Day at the tent city here.

The different volunteer groups distributed gifts and food to the young and old and entertained the typhoon victims with various activities that lasted until late evening of Christmas Day to inspire them in facing reality that came to their lives.

The evacuees at the tent city came from the ravaged village of Little Kibungan, Puguias here during the onslaught of “Pepeng” last October 8.

Aside from distributing gifts and food to the typhoon victims, children were also provided with toys and school supplies for them to be able to pursue their studies even with what they have experienced in one of the most tragic events in their lives.

The 145 families are still awaiting the relocation site to be provided by the provincial and municipal governments so that they could start building their new homes and start a new lease in their lives.

Mayor Artemio Galwan said they are set to transmit to the Office of the President their proposal for the segregation of at least three hectares from the property of the Benguet State University (BSU) which will be used as a relocation site for the typhoon victims at the soonest possible time.

But it is still uncertain whether or not the provincial or municipal governments will be the ones to purchase the property which will be given to the victims for them to build their new homes.

Because of the confusion, provincial and municipal officials are set to conduct a dialogue with the President when she visits Little Kibungan village before the end of the month to clarify pertinent issues surrounding the identification of the relocation sites and the grant of additional assistance to the calamity victims.

Galwan claimed the local government is continuously providing relief assistance to the victims as well as providing them with livelihood assistance for the productive individuals so that they will have a temporary source of income while awaiting their permanent relocation site.

The typhoon victims claimed the celebration of Christmas this year is considered to be the saddest in their life considering that they lost their homes and some of their relatives in a tragic incident.

However, they claimed they are still happy about their present situation because there are numerous groups which continuously provide them support while the local government is doing everything it could to satisfy their needs.

Galwan ordered the deployment of additional policemen at the tent city in order to guard the properties and personal belongings of the typhoon victims from the illegal activities of unscrupulous individuals who are taking advantage of their situation.