“The clients’ situation is devastating. Their houses are completely washed out by the flood. Oil spill from a nearby gasoline station made it even worse in one of the villages in Pasig City where many TSPI clients are residing. It’s pitiful seeing the clients washing oil-contaminated rice grains trying to save some for food because the area is still unreachable for relief operations due to flood. One of our clients was not able to change her clothes since the storm hit the area, because all their belongings were soaked in mud. Some of the villages do not have access to clean water, enough food and electricity. Despite this condition, we were so touched to hear clients expressing concern about their options to pay for the loan, demonstrating the values and discipline that the program has instilled in them. After seeing their condition, we at the branch can’t help but pull our resources together to buy relief goods. With the help of some clients, we managed to pack and distribute some goods for our affected clients. We would really like to call on you to extend help for our clients in Pasig Branch.”

- Ms. Catherine Cativo, TSPI Pasig Branch Manager

“Last September 26, typhoon Ondoy severely affected many of our clients in Mary Grace and E. Rodriguez areas because of the heavy flooding, which reached above head-level. According to our clients at Mary Grace, flood came in so quickly that they had to leave their houses as fast as they can to save their lives. Everything they have inside the house turned into junk because they were submerged in mud including their home appliances and source of livelihood like sewing machines. Their houses were literally filled with mud. At E. Rodriguez, while the experience is not as bad, the flood caused major damages in clients’ houses and enterprises. Many of them who are engaged in sari-sari store and fruit vending lost their products due to flood.”

- Jeisil de Jesus, TSPI Bocaue Branch Account Officer

“It was a Saturday, September 26 when TSPI centers at Sta. Clara, Manggahan, Sta. Cruz and Guyong were hit by typhoon Ondoy. These centers had the worst experience within the whole cluster I am managing. In Sta. Clara, the most affected are our members who are tricycle drivers because they were not able to save their tricycles from the deep and muddy flood. Three of them, namely Johnny Penaverde, Michael Lipit & Paulino Naguit also lost their houses and are now staying at the town hall with their families. We also have two clients, Marichu Mendoza & Zoilynne Dela Cruz, whose houses and businesses where completely washed out.”

- Ruth Pasco, Bocaue Branch Account Officer

“The centers I’m handling in Kalawaan, Napindan, Bambang, and Tipas areas were greatly affected by typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). In fact, houses in these areas are still flooded and water level is still high. Personal belongings and products sold by clients were drenched in water, hence, could not be used anymore. Also, clients with tricycles had to stop their operation in the area because of the high water level. Some clients had to evacuate to higher ground. Children in the area are already sick and acquiring air and water-borne diseases. They could not be rushed to nearby hospitals, because even hospitals were also affected by the flood.”

-Jeddahlyn Mendoza, Account Officer, TSPI Pasig Branch

“We tried visiting TSPI centers 214 and 119 in Virata Calzada, Tipas two days after typhoon Ondoy hit the region. However, due to high water level in the area, vehicles could not pass through. Although Tipas was still submerged in water, we returned the next day. We rented a side car (bicycle) and stepped on elevated pavements just to reach our clients in the area. On our way to the centers, we passed by a client’s house, half of which was submerged in water. They made improvised wooden platforms to avoid getting soaked in water. Other clients in the area, especially members of the centers earlier mentioned, had difficulty going out of their houses due to high water level. All of these clients’ businesses stopped its operations because of the flood.”

-Kylee A. Dacuray, Senior Account Officer, TSPI Taguig Branch

“Our clients in Centers 26 and 308 covered by Valenzuela branch are badly affected by typhoon Ondoy. There are clients whose houses were totally washed out by floods and there are others whose houses are still under water up to now. Businesses of our clients were also affected by the flooding. In Bulo, Malanday, Valenzuela, the water level remains chest-deep. We have clients who, together with their church mates, organized their own relief operations to help other TSPI clients and other people in the community.”

- CJ Gaspar, Account Officer, TSPI Valenzuela Branch

“On September 28, I checked the situation of my clients in Sto. Tomas, one of the areas affected by the typhoon. I rode a cart just to get to the area. The houses of most of the clients were submerged in water. Their business stocks, if not soaked, were washed out. Other clients were in evacuation centers. It is very painful for an account officer like me to see our clients in this situation. They don’t have water, electricity, and food. They need our understanding, consideration and support. Typhoon Ondoy really brought immense damages to our clients.”

- Marlene M. Ignalagin, Account Officer, TSPI Pasig Branch

“Most of my clients in Manggahan, Sta. Lucia, Rosario, and Floodway, Cainta were affected by the typhoon and are still inaccessible as of the moment. All their belongings, which took them years to acquire, were gone in an instant. Life simply stopped for them. They could not work. There was no transport to bring them outside their devastated houses and there was no electricity. Business stocks of clients were destroyed by flood. Aside from high water level and the stench of garbage, there was also an oil spill in one part of Rosario caused by an upturned oil tanker. Another area, Manggahan, is still unreachable due to neck-deep water.”

-Melody J. Victorino, Account Officer, TSPI Pasig Branch

“When typhoon Pepeng (Parma) hit our barangay, I did not know what to do. I was really terrified by the strong winds and heavy rainfall the typhoon brought. And after a few hours, water started to gush inside our house until it reached waist-level. Because of the strong winds, our roof was ripped off and the wall in our kitchen was destroyed. There are a lot of us, TSPI members, who were severely affected by the typhoon. This is the very first time I have experienced such calamity in our area. The typhoon took away residents’ livelihood, agriculture, lives and animals. But despite this devastating experience, I am still thankful that I did not lose anyone in my family.”

--> Agnes Somera, TSPI Client-Vigan Branch, Brgy. Vacunero, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur

“Last October 3, 2009, there was a heavy downpour until the morning of October 4, 2009. The streets of Barangay Nalasin, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur began to be flooded and in a couple of minutes the whole barnagay was totally under water. This was so alarming and the residents began to panic. We even brave the heavy rain and the flood just to have our families relocated to higher places. Because of the typhoon Pepeng (Parma), some of our personal belongings were damaged. There was total darkness for almost a week because there was no electricity since some of the electric posts were destroyed by the typhoon. In the morning of October 5, 2009, there was again a heavy downpour and our barangay was again flooded. We did panic again, trying to save some of our personal belongings but still we were not able to do so. We transferred to higher places until the water subsided.”

-->Fe Taay, TSPI Client-Vigan Branch, Brgy. Nalasin, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur

“During the typhoon Pepeng (Parma), flood water came inside our house. Our roof, made of nipa palm, was damaged and all of our clothes got wet. My husband used our carpet as temporary roof since we did not have enough money to buy nipa palm to replace our roof. Since some parts of the walls of our house, also made of nipa, were washed out, we made use of sacks as temporary walls.”

-->Mary Joy Apelin, TSPI Client-Vigan Branch, Brgy. Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

Last October 3, 2009, there was news on TV that a typhoon named Pepeng (Parma) was expected to hit our province, Ilocos Sur. My family made the usual preparations when there are typhoons like buying candles and securing our things. Strong winds came in the afternoon of October 3 and by evening, heavy rains poured. Early next morning, the wind got stronger that it blew away our roof made of corrugated iron and broke our windows made of capiz shells. The downpour also got heavier that caused the water rise up to knee-level. The typhoon lasted for six (6) days. Many belongings and lives were lost. Many residents, including myself, were not able to work and do business, and thus no income. I am really saddened every time I watch TV and see how other families were severely affected by the typhoon. I pray that after all the pain the typhoon brought them, they will still look at the bright side of life.

-->Rowena Dizon, TSPI Client-Vigan Branch, Brgy. 3, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

“Last October 8, 2009, I was supposed to have a center meeting in Capitan Tomas when I noticed that only few clients were present. Most of them had to put their belongings on higher ground, due to rumors that San Roque Dam will be releasing water anytime. The water level was already rising on my way back to the office. Four days after typhoon “Pepeng” hit Pangasinan, we went back to the office, and were surprised to see that the premises were very muddy. The following day, we decided to visit our clients in the public market of Rosales. We were devastated to see that a lot of them lost their livelihood. A lot of their products and items were damaged, if not swept away by the flood.”

-->Cristita R. Ventura, TSPI Account Officer-Rosales Branch

“In the morning of October 8, 2009, water level on the road was already knee-deep. However, this did not discourage me from going to my center meetings, and push through with the weekly collection. I also had loan releases to make so I really insisted on reporting to the office. I thank God because my center meetings ended at 3pm with complete weekly collection and without past due. A few days after the typhoon hit our province, I decided to visit clients in my cluster. I was distressed discovering that they were not spared by the typhoon. The houses of these clients were flooded and their crops were also damaged.”

-->Johanna Faith Marzan, TSPI Account Officer-Rosales Branch

“I was in my area the day typhoon “Pepeng” hit Pangasinan. I just received a text message from my co-staff that all Account Officers need to return to the office because water level was already rising. So I returned to the office and only Senior Account Officer was there. I then decided to go home. However, in Brgy. Bakit-Bakit, Rosales, water level was already high and the current was very strong. I had to just bring my motorcycle and go to higher ground. When I got home, I received a lot of text messages from clients stating how badly affected they were. Five days after, I visited my clients and found out that a lot of them were adversely affected by the typhoon. For instance, the harvested rice grains of Nanay Jocelyn Pasimula of Center 35, Brgy. Primicias Bautista were swept away by the flood. Another client, Nanay Esther Catroper claims that her 26 live goats drowned due to the flood in the area. Likewise, the rice grains of Nanays Dolorosa and Ma. Luisa were soaked in the flood. Though there was great damage in the livelihood of the clients, they remain thankful that there weren’t any casualty in their area.”

-->Reynaldo B. Bon, TSPI Account Officer-Rosales Branch

“We have once again showed our clients our sincere intention of bringing them out of poverty and our putting into action the mission entrusted to us by the Lord.”

-->George Angeles, TSPI Valenzuela, Metro Manila Branch Manager

“It is very fulfilling and overwhelming to be an instrument of goodwill.”

-->Irene Manahan, TSPI Valenzuela, Metro Manila Branch Account Officer

“As an employee of TSPI, I feel blessed because we are given the chance to show our concern to our clients through the relief operations we did.”

-->Regeon Abalos, TSPI Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Branch Manager

“We are happy to be able to help our clients affected by the typhoon. It is fulfilling.”

-->TSPI Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Branch Account Officers

“It is very rewarding to be of help to our clients in the midst of the tragedy. TSPI served as their light in times of darkness.”

-->Maricel Fariñas, TSPI Vigan, Ilocos Sur Branch Manager

“It’s very fulfilling to help people who are in need, especially seeing the smile on our clients’ faces. As an Account Officer, this is one of the main reasons why I exist. I am happy to be an employee of TSPI, because this is my way to help others.”

-->Hermogenes Goc-Ong, TSPI Bocaue, Bulacan Branch Account Officer

“I am very thankful to TSPI for the relief goods given to us. I appreciate the mineral water they gave us, because there was already scarcity of water in Marilao. It even came to a point that my parents were only drinking soda, and my mother had to ask for water to make milk for my child. It was really a big help to us. Thank you and more blessings to TSPI.”

-->Ruth Pasco, TSPI Bocaue, Bulacan Branch Account Officer

“The calamity gave us the opportunity to bond with our Area Manager and staff from other branches, especially those from Balagtas branch, who helped us re-pack relief goods. The distribution of relief goods was a bit tiring, but fulfilling, especially seeing the smile on clients’ faces when they received the goods. Others even became teary-eyed as they told us their experiences.”

-->Rosaliza Estanislao, TSPI Bocaue, Bulacan Branch Account Officer

“In all the companies I worked for, it is only here at TSPI where I felt the comfort given by my co-workers. The relief goods from TSPI helped us lessen our family’s expenses.”

-->Lily-Anne Narciso, TSPI Malolos , Bulacan Branch Account Officer

“Repacking goods was tiring but it was pleasing at the same time knowing that we became part of something worthwhile.”

-->Rosalie B. Mercado, TSPI Balagtas, Bulacan Branch Senior Account Officer

“Aside from the material things given to me by TSPI, I am more thankful to TSPI because I know that I can rely on them in times of need. I did not expect the simple gestures made by TSPI to show their concern to the staff and clients.”

-->Maridell Tamayo, TSPI Baliuag, Bulacan Branch Account Officer

“The relief goods given by TSPI to clients were a big help. Clients were surprised with what TSPI did because they did not expect it.”

-->Melvin dela Paz, TSPI Caloocan, Metro Manila Branch Account Officer

“Clients affected by the typhoon were happy to receive help from TSPI and they trusted TSPI more.”

-->Regina Gonzales, TSPI Caloocan, Metro Manila Branch Account Officer

“TSPI is not just a Christian Organization by name but also by deed. TSPI really cares for its clients.”

-->Osias Bolon, Jr., TSPI Caloocan, Metro Manila Branch Account Officer

“It is very heartwarming to be part of the relief operations of TSPI. Many clients were crying as they extend their gratitude to TSPI. I feel blessed being part of TSPI.”

-->Rey Acob, TSPI Cubao, Manila Assistant Branch Manager

“It is a very nice experience for me since I was able to help in my own simple way.”

-->Aileen Zaratar, TSPI Cubao, Metro Manila Account Officer

“Clients were very happy to receive relief goods such as good quality rice, underwear, slippers and canned goods.”

-->Maricel Andalajao, TSPI Siniloan, Laguna Branch Account Officer

“We are thankful that we received relief goods that helped us meet our basic needs since we were not able to work for a number of days. We are thankful that there is TSPI that is ready to help us. TSPI has helped many families. Thank you very much.”

-->Agnes Somera, Brgy. Vacunero, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, TSPI Client-Vigan Branch

“Thank you very much for everything and for your concern. You have helped a lot of us.”

-->TSPI Clients-Calasiao Branch

“We are very thankful that TSPI did not leave us during tough times. The relief goods helped my family a lot. Thank you.”

-->Gertrude Nicolas, Nicolas Taal, Bocaue, Bulacan, TSPI Client-Bocaue Branch

“TSPI gave us the best. Only TSPI helped us among all MFIs.”

-->Razel Espanola, K. Munti St., Sta. Maria, Bulacan, TSPI Client-Bocaue Branch

“I am really grateful for the help TSPI gave our Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA). The relief goods provided my family food for a couple of days.”

-->Arthur Martinez, Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, TSPI Client-Bocaue Branch

“My center members and I are grateful for the relief goods TSPI gave us. Despite TSPI staff being affected also by the calamity, they still willingly helped each member affected. May the Lord guide you. Thank you.”

-->Evangelista Francisco, Nagbalon, Marilao, Bulacan, TSPI Client-Bocaue Branch

“I did not expect t receive blessings from TSPI. We will strive to be good performing centers.”

-->Elenita Macalalad, Bunsuran 2nd, Pandi, Bulacan, TSPI Client-Balagtas Branch

“TSPI is really exceptional. You are more concerned with the people than making profit.”

-->Leonila Almodovar, Teresita Agustin, and Gloria Pacho, Corazon, Calumpit Bulacan, TSPI Clients-Malolos Branch

“We are very thankful to TSPI because we received relief items, which were good not only for one day but for one week.”

-->Neddie de Villa, G. Araneta St., Tatalon, Quezon City, TSPI Client-Cubao Branch

“Thank you. What you said was true – that you are the bridge that helps the poor out of poverty.”

-->Marilyn Sibayan, Col. Slagado St., Kamias, Quezon City, TSPI Client-Cubao Branch

“Thank you for all the relief goods we received. You are the only one who gave 5 kilos of rice. This is a very big help to us affected by the typhoon.”

-->Arceli Tugagao, Palosapis, Quirino 3, Quezon City, TSPI Client-Cubao Branch

“We really felt the advantage of being a client of TSPI.”

-->Angeline Fuentes, C. Molina St., Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City, TSPI Client-Valenzuela Branch

“TSPI was the first to help us.”

-->Gloria Mallari, A. Santos St., Malinta, Valenzuela City, TSPI Client-Valenzuela Branch

“We can count on TSPI not only in times when we need financial assistance but also in times of calamity.”

-->Carmen Dimapilis, Libis St, Signal Village, Taguig City, TSPI Client-Taguig Branch

“There was no available rice in the market after the typhoon. We are very thankful that we were given relief goods by TSPI.”

-->Rosemarie Vimiposa, Capistrano St., Palingon, Tipas, Taguig City, TSPI Client-Taguig Branch

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