Tulong Maligcong

Typhoon Rosita roared through the Philippines nearly two weeks ago and wreaked havoc on Luzon.  In Mountain Province,  Natonin was in the news as a massive landslide swept the DPWH building and claimed casualties.  There were other areas affected by landslides, with scant or no exposure on mainstream media, and that includes Maligcong in Bontoc.  I've been there in different seasons, even through typhoons and this is the first time that such a calamity has visited the area.  Terraces in Sitio Favarey were covered in mud.  My friend in Bontoc Turismo, Eli Farnican, reported that one particular area of concern were those that affected the flow of irrigation water coming from the mountain springs above.  The steepness of the affected terraces necessitate the need for harnesses as well as other implements to dig and free up the irrigation paths.  When I posted this plea for assistance and support on my FB, there was a cynical comment that pointed to Natonin as needing more assistance.  In my mind, both places need the help and support, especially assistance and funding from the national government, Natonin for the casualties, and Maligcong for its living/surviving locals who need the land to feed their families.

For any assistance, especially leads on how to get this plea for help to the government, please feel free to get in touch with the municipal government of Bontoc or Bontoc Turismo by clicking the links.

Photo credit:  DeAnn from her FB account

Birding in Baler

Eurasia Tree Sparrow among the coconut fronds

Foregoing a return sunrise shoot in Ampere Beach, I wandered to the lot adjacent to L'Sirene resort.  The lot to the right is the back area of the local public works compound, still thick with trees and shrubbery.  Needless to say, there were quite a lot of birds frequenting the place, the morning filled with tweeting.  There's the ubiquitous Eurasia tree sparrow, of course, a lot of them even visiting the eaves of the rooms so their birdsong is a nice playlist to wake up to in the early hours of the morning.  Also spotted some Yellow-vented Bulbuls but not after trying to keep still and identifying their signature chittering, preferring the talisay trees to the coconut palms that dot the resort compound and the next lot.