Typhoons “Milenyo”, “Reming”, and “Seniang” that successively struck the Bicol area in the past three months have brought havoc and devastation to its infrastructures (roads, bridges, ports, irrigation systems, etc.) power lines, agriculture, business establishments, residential houses, etc. amounting to billions of pesos.

        These exclude the death toll and loss of properties brought about by the Mayon volcano mudflows that buried communities, and turned into wastelands several villages in the municipalities of Guinobatan, Camalig, and Daraga, and Legaspi City in the province of Albay. The loss is stupendous and irreparable. Perhaps it will take a long time for the hardly hit areas in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes to fully recover.

        Although the national government, the Red Cross, the international community, civic organizations, etc. continuously poured millions of pesos worth of relief goods, medicines, building materials, etc., residents who lost their livelihoods must fend for themselves to survive. Most will be having a bleak Christmas today, while others face an uncertain future.

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        Amidst the calamities, the business sector suffers losses and terms of actual damages of their stores/warehouses, and commodities for sell which were destroyed/lost. It is unfortunate that very few businesses in the Philippines are insured against typhoons and similar calamities. In addition, businesses sustained lost business opportunities and expected earnings especially so that these typhoons occurred during the Christmas season when people usually splurge buying gifts and spending for themselves and their loved ones.

        As expected, business firms that sell household appliances, electronic devices, expensive clothing, jewelries, and other luxury items may not experience brisk sale for this year. The budget intended for these items may be used for immediate repair of residential houses with roofs blown away, or damaged heavily by the typhoons. (For many Albay residents affected by the mudflows, relocating to a safer place is the only option.) That is why the businesses that thrive in the aftermath of typhoons are the hardwares, glasswares, nipa shingles vendors, and construction companies. Similarly, services of carpenters, painters, masons, welders, plumbers, and electricians are very much in demand.

        On the other hand, restaurants, hotels, and the catering business may not be on one’s toes and on full swing on this usually busy season inasmuch as most Christmas parties planned for this month were either cancelled or lessened. Several large companies, banks, offices, and organizations opted to donate the amount allocated for their Christmas revelry to the typhoon victims. Some even bought foods, water, and other goods and gathered used clothing to be distributed among the homeless, and destitute Bicolanos. Some companies and government offices forego with their Christmas parties and instead distributed groceries and cash to their employees to help them tide over during this difficult time.

        It was said that a person’s noble character surfaces during the time of crisis. Indeed, a lot of Bicolano residents (though they suffer from the typhoons too) have shown their compassion and utmost generosity by