She is three (3) months pregnant but until now no pre-natal check-up was
conducted nor was she informed that she has to undergo the same to her and
her baby. She just arrived in Pantar and no doctor has visited since her arrival.
[Jamalia]
Illness and sickness in ECs
It is difficult here in the evacuation center because we cannot sleep and the
children are getting sick because of the cold at night they can’t eat well.
“Masakit na nakikita mo ‘yung mga anak mo na… kung alam ko lang na … Na
gan’to ang mangyayari sa kanila, sana hindi na lang sila ipinanganak.” (It is
painful seeing my children in this situation. If I only knew this would
happened, I could not have carry and gave birth them.)[ Isuihaya]
As mothers, the women also complained of the different illnesses suffered by
their children, common illnesses include cough, colds and diarrhea. Specific to
Pantar, the women shared that the medicines for their children are already
running out. [Omaira]
Children, elderly and even us are getting sick because of the unbearable heat
and rain showers that getting in the gym. We are also just lying on the floors
with just mats thus coughs and cold just come and go even DOH is giving
consolations and medicines. [Jocelyn]
Needs directly related to reproductive work, a burden many women carry even in
the ECs
From the interviews with women, it is easy to discern that the women continue to
primarily perform most of the reproductive work even in the ECS. They still bear the burden of
looking after children, of cooking, washing and cleaning/upkeep of their little space in the EC.
This burdens the women with the absence of materials for cooking and washing and of the unmet
needs of children specially infants.
In terms of their needs in the evacuation centers, the women answered that
they needed supplies for their young children including Milo, diapers and
biscuits. They also said they needed cash in the ECs to buy their needs in
cooking like oil, sugar and salt.
[Omaira]
We are not provided of cooking and water containers, kitchen utensils and
boxes to put our clothes. Every time we cook and eat, we lend it from our
neighbors here in the evacuation center. Sometimes they get mad at me and
accuse me of losing their things. Almost every other day, we ask for cartoons
from the nearby shops where we could place our clothes; when it rains the
cartoon get wet hence we need to find a replacement. [Monisa]
Water is difficult. The government supplies water but it lasts for only two days.
We fetched water and wash clothes from afar. [ Rohaima]
. Cooking a meal is an ordeal. Around 16-20 families share one gas stove and
you have to wait a turn. And it only last a week; it takes time (one or two weeks)
before it could be replaced. “Kaya nagtitiis nalang kaming mangahoy” (hence,
we just endure gathering of woods). [ Jocelyn Lagata]
Messages for the government
End the war and the bombing and Desire to go back/start a new
Asked of their message to the government, particularly the President, Omaira
says “sana maawa naman sila sa mga Maranaw kasi sabi nya may dugo
48
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents