Several months after the onslaught of Typhoon Egay (Doksuri) which lashed North Luzon, including the Cordilleras, on July 25 to 27, 2023, the effects linger on. For 21-year old Syrelle Tumpap, whose family were among the thousands of households in the region affected due to floodings and landslides, the sting of the nightmare may stay on yet the call for resilience and success still resonate.

Caught in the middle of the storm’s howling winds and strong rains, a landslide struck the Tumpap family’s house in Lower Abatan, Buguias, Benguet during the wee hours of July 26, which claimed the lives of four of her kins. This prompted immediate and crucial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera, of which subsequently, Ms. Syrelle, a 3rd year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet, became a recipient of the DSWD-CAR’s Assistance to Individual Crisis Situation (AICS) – Educational Assistance. In close coordination with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Benguet and the Office of the Benguet Representative, the educational assistance was facilitated to their family.

Aside from school expenses, she said the educational assistance was a big help to their family in buying some of the things they lost during the disaster at their hometown. “Though all of our things from our house were gone,” she said, “we are rising up to recover and move on from that tragedy.” 

“We are truly grateful. This is a big help in meeting our needs not only in school but also to our family,” said Ms. Syrelle. According to her, the amount she received will go a long way towards meeting her day-to-day expenses for school such as transportation fare to and from school, books and school supplies. Notably, the money is in time for backing incurred costs for their thesis project, particularly the food product development she is undertaking together with a group. 

She added that she continues to have hope and strength in her parents and siblings who are working hard to provide for them and give them a future. As the fifth child in an all-girl family of 6, she said she also feels the responsibility to do her part.

“That’s why I am studying hard and doing my best,” said Ms. Syrelle, adding that she looks forward to graduating next school year and working to earn also for their family. 

“With this huge blessing of being a recipient of the AICS-Educational Assistance Program to help me to finish school, I continue to dream big for me and my family.” she said. ###DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit – Christian Robert M. Sandoval, CIS Information Officer