9 - Impact Magazine

Transcription

9 - Impact Magazine

Vol. 48 No. 12 • December 2014 Php 70.00
Editor's Note
Faith-inspired.
This Is Who We Are.
ow much of our development work is truly for
development? How much of our humanitarian
H
work is truly humane? How much of our charitable
IMPACT
ISSN 0300-4155
Asian Magazine for Human Transformation
Through Education, Social Advocacy
and Evangelization
P.O. Box 2481, 1099 Manila, Philippines
©
Copyright 1974 by Social Impact Foundation, Inc.
Published monthly by
AREOPAGUS SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ASIA, INC.
PEDRO QUITORIO III
Editor
NIRVA'ANA DELACRUZ
Associate Editor
CHARLES AVILA • EULY BELIZAR
ROY CIMAGALA • ROY LAGARDE
LOPE ROBREDILLO • PAUL MARQUEZ, SSP
Staff Writers
GLORIA FERNANDO
Sales & Advertising Supervisor
work is truly out of kindness?
A very thin line defines the differences. An almost
invisible colour separates the distinctions. In this
world and time, interchanging one from the other is
almost too easy.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines was able to provide,
in less than a year – a thousand houses, hundreds of
WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities and
a quarter of income opportunities. In the rehabilitation and recovery lingo, we call these development
infrastructures.
In the context of pastoral care however, physical
infrastructures alone can never merit a sustainable
development.
Thus, the inclusion of values formation in the community organizing approach of #REACHPhilippines
(Recovery Assistance to Vulnerable Community Affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines) project.
The clear-cut emphasis on the teachings of the
Catholic Church in the implementation strategies of
the rehabilitation and recovery programs of NASSA/
Caritas Philippines compellingly defines the boundaries between being a faith-based humanitarian organization and a donor-driven development group.
And the stories that you will find in this issue of the
IMPACT Magazine are the witnessing of such faith
– one that is inclusive, full of love and with human
faces – the faith that inspires the Catholic Church to
bring to all the faithful the good news who is Christ.
ERNANI RAMOS
Circulation Manager
RONALYN REGINO
Layout Artist
Editorial Office:
Unit 306, HHC Bldg., Victoria cor
Basco Sts., Intramuros, Manila.
Tel (632) 404-2182 • Telefax (632) 404-1612
Visit our website at www.impactmagazine.net
For inquiries, comments, and contributions,
email us at: [email protected]
2
This IMPACT special issue is produced by the
Humanitarian Unit Communications Office of
NASSA/Caritas Philippines.
IMPACT Special Issue • DECEMBER 2014
CONTENTS
4 Catholic Church Launches Appeals for Solidatiry
Aid for Typhoon 'Ruby' Affected Families
7 Solidarity Appeal for Families Affected by Typhoon 'Ruby'
8 Catholic Church Utilizes "Alay Kapwa" Funds
in Preparation For Typhoon 'Ruby'
10 From 'Yolanda' Survivors to 'Ruby' Responsders
12 Typhoon 'Hagupit' Update Report
14 'New Home This Christmas For 1,813 'Yolanda'-Affected Families
16 Filipinos to 'Ruby': Not Again
20 Cbcp Exec Dismayed Over 'Disaster Capitalism'
in 'Yolanda'-Hit Area
21 New Hope for 'Yolanda' Survivors in Palawan
23 NASSA/Caritas Philippines Revives Handicraft
Industry in 'Yolanda'-Hit Palawan
24 Meet Andresa: 39 Years Of Weaving Legacy
26 Always Keeping the Faith
27 Meet Mary Faith: Papa is Back!
28 NASSA/Caritas Philippines Provides Water
Systems For 961 Households
29 Meet Ramil: This is Miracle Water!
30 Meet Nora: No Read, No Write. Knows Red And White.
31 Cath0lic Church Rolls Out P26-Million for
Typhoon 'Pablo' Survivors' Rehab
31 Lemon Grass: A Recipe For Livelihood Recovery in Leyte
VOLUME 48 • NUMBER 12
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Catholic Church launches appeal
for solidarity aid for Typhoon
'Ruby' affected families
THE Catholic Church through its social
action arm, NASSA/Caritas Philippines
launched a Solidarity Appeal to the 85
dioceses nationwide to raise funds for
the families affected by Typhoon Ruby
(Hagupit).
In the letter sent to all 85 bishops
nationwide, NASSA/Caritas Philippine
National Director Rolando Tria Tirona said
that the church has started “releasing Alay
Kapwa funds to finance the prepositioning
of goods and emergency relief operation
of the dioceses.”
Archbishop Tirona, however, said that
the emergency funds from the Alay Kapwa
may not be enough considering the vast
scope of the typhoon. Thus, he is calling
everyone to revive the spirit of giving
during this time of calamity.
“To the unaffected Dioceses, we call
on you to organize relief operations to the
affected Dioceses nearest you or you may
choose to send your donations to the Alay
Kapwa account for the relief operations
of the Catholic Church network,” Tirona
appealed.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay - Social Action Center is busy preparing relief goods few days before
Typhoon Ruby made its first landfall in the country. AVT-SAC
The Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center prepares food packs for families affected by Typhoon Ruby. Capiz Archdiocesan SAC
4
Almost nothing was left out of this house that was destroyed by Typhoon Ruby in Catbalogan, Samar. RCAP-RRU
5
The “bayanihan” spirit is alive among staff of the diocesan social action centers in times of calamity. CASAC
The resilient spirit is alive among the children despite the devastation caused by Typhoon Ruby in Malibago
and San Isidro both in Babatngon, Leyte. The photo was taken after the psycho-social activity conducted
by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Palo – Relief and Rehabilitation Unit. RCAP-RRU
6
NASSA/Caritas Philippines has initially
released P2-million from the church’s
Lenten evangelization and fundraising
program also known as Alay Kapwa and
other local and non-Caritas Internationalis
funds for the purchase of relief goods,
which were now pre-positioned in possible
typhoon-hit areas.
It has been coordinating as well with
the affected dioceses, concerned government agencies and Caritas Internationalis
member organizations for pre-emptive
measures and relief operations.
Donations for the relief operations of the
Catholic Church can be deposited through
the following bank account:
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Acct. Name: CBCP Caritas Filipinas
Foundation, Inc.
Acct. Number: 4951-0071-08
Latest Data from the United Nations’
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) showed that an
estimated number of 5.36 million families
or a total of 50.67 million individuals
across seven regions in the country may
be affected by Typhoon Ruby.
It can be recalled that NASSA/Caritas
Philippines likewise launched a Solidarity
Appeal to help those who were affected by
Typhoon Yolanda in November last year.
The Catholic Church’s humanitarian
arm also initiated Emergency Appeals 23
and 12 to 41 Caritas Internationalis members worldwide to support the emergency
relief efforts, and the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of Yolanda-battered areas.
A man carries an old woman most likely his mother, while an old man carries few things from their house on their way to the evacuation area at the height of Typhoon Ruby.
RCAP-RRU
Solidarity Appeal For Families
Affected by Typhoon 'Ruby'
Our dear Bishops, SAC Directors, Brothers
and Sisters in Christ,
One year afer super typhoon Yolanda
caused widespread flooding and damage to lives and properties, a Category
3 typhoon, TY HAGUPIT (local name
Ruby), with winds at 185-200 kph,
is again threatening vast areas of the
Visayas, parts of Mindanao and Luzon
provinces. CBCP-NASSA/Caritas Philippines is coordinating with the affected
Dioceses, concerned government agencies and Caritas Internationalis member
organizations for pre-emptive measures
and relief operations.
Currently, the PAGASA weather bureau places at least 33 provinces across
seven regions in the country, which may
be affected by Typhoon Ruby. These
include the provinces of: Sorsogon,
Ticao Island, Masbate, Northern Samar,
Easern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte,
Southern Leyte, Cebu, Catanduanes,
Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Burias Island, Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo,
Antique, Aklan, Negros Oriental, Negros
Occidental, Siquijor, Bohol, Surigao
del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del
Norte, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island,
Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, and
Camiguin Island.
According to the United Nations' Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), the number of affected
families is placed at 5.36 million families
or a total of 50.67 million individuals.
To support the capacity of the Dioceses,
we are releasing Alay-Kapwa funds to
finance prepositioning of goods and emergency relief operation of the dioceses.
Considering the projected effect and geographical scope of the typhoon, we will
need your help.
Let us revive the spirit of Alay-Kapwa.
To the unaffected Dioceses, we call on you
to organize relief operations to the affected
Dioceses nearest you or you may chose to
send your donations to the Alay- Kapwa
account for the relief operations of the
Catholic Church network:
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Acct. Name: CBCP Caritas Filipinas
Foundation, Inc.
Acct. Number: 4951-0071-08
Thank you for your continuous dedication and selfless service to the poor and
the vulnerable!
+ROLANDO J. TRIA TIRONA, O.C.D, DD
National Director
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Catholic Church utilizes “Alay
Kapwa” funds in preparation
for Typhoon 'Ruby'
The diocesan social action center of the Diocese of
Maasin is busy preparing relief packs for residents
affected by Typhoon Ruby. DSAC Maasin
The Catholic Church through its social
action arm, NASSA/Caritas Philippines,
has started its pre-disaster preparedness
measures for the possible onslaught of
Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) in the country.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines has initially
released P2-million from the local church’s
emergency funds “Alay Kapwa” and other
local and non-Caritas Internationalis funds
for the purchase of relief goods, which were
now pre-positioned in possible typhoonhit areas.
The Alay Kapwa is the Lenten evangelization and fundraising program of the
Church to raise consciousness and funds
for calamities and major social concerns.
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The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has identified at least
33 provinces across seven regions which
may be affected by Typhoon Ruby. These
included the provinces of Eastern Samar,
Leyte, Iloilo, Cebu, and Aklan which were
previously devastated by Super Typhoon
Yolanda (Haiyan) in November last year.
According to the United Nations’ Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), the number of affected
families is placed at 5.36 million families
or a total of 50.67 million individuals.
“Considering the vast area to be affected, local funds may not suffice. We
This church in Catarman, Northern Samar serves as an evacuation center for residents in nearby barangays. DSAC Catarman
are, therefore, expecting bigger needs in
the coming days as the typhoon has not yet
made landfall,” NASSA/Caritas Philippines Humanitarian Unit Head Josephine
Ignacio stressed.
The provinces through its Diocesan
Social Action Centers (DSACs) from
the 14 provinces have already started to
implement its contingency plans since
Wednesday which included close coordination meetings with all government and
non-government organizations.
Among the preparations made are
the prepositioning of relief goods and
emergency kits, and the deployment of
volunteers to affected communities. Camp
management committees were also set up
in the different provinces to continuously
monitor and assess the situation in their
respective areas.
Aside from this, community organizers
and other DSAC staff also assisted in the
information dissemination and the evacuation of families to safer grounds.
“As early as now, we are initiating
a Solidarity Appeal to all 85 dioceses
nationwide to raise funds in support to
the provinces affected by Typhoon Ruby.
We are also not discounting the possible
launch of another Caritas Internationalis
Confederation Appeal in case a full swing
emergency response is required,” Ignacio
explained.
It can be recalled that NASSA/Caritas
Philippines previously launched Emergency Appeals 23 and 12 to support the
emergency relief efforts, and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the areas
severely hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
These emergency appeals were also the
fastest responded to by 41 Caritas Internationalis members worldwide with budgets
amounting to EUR 5.6 million for the
relief phase and EUR 9.7 million for the
rehabilitation phase.
The staff of the Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center start to monitor reports about Typhoon Ruby
days before Typhoon Ruby made its first landfall. CASAC
The staff of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay Social Action Center in Palawan waste no time and preposition goods days before the typhoon hit land. AVT-SAC
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From ‘Yolanda’ survivors to
‘Ruby’ responders
The Relief and Rehabilitation Unit of the Archdiocese of Palo just arrived at the San Batholomew Parish in Catbalogan City in Samar. RCAP-RRU
The Archdiocese of Palo Rehabilitation Unit (RRU), who was among those
devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
last year, has embarked on a mission this
time to give relief assistance to those who
were affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit)
in Catbalogan City, Samar.
The group headed by Fr. Alcris Badana,
program director of the Archdiocese of
Palo RRU, travelled at least four hours
by land yesterday to reach the San Bartholomew Parish in Catbalogan City to
deliver the relief goods for 1,150 Rubyaffected families in the province.
“The spirit of Alay Kapwa is truly
alive not only here but also in all of the
85 dioceses nationwide who are helping
those who were affected by Typhoon Ruby.
While Leyte has been affected as well by
this recent typhoon, we make it a point to
help also nearby dioceses that are most in
need of immediate assistance. This is also
our way of paying forward the goodness we
have received from everyone who partook
in the Yolanda rehabilitation efforts,” Fr.
Badana said.
The priest added that aside from the
distribution of relief goods, they would
also do initial rapid needs assessments
on the scope of damage and devastation
of Typhoon Ruby in the area.
Since April this year, the group has
been implementing various rehabilitation
efforts in Leyte under the #REACHPhilippines program of NASSA/Caritas Philippines, which is the social action arm of
the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines. Among their interventions are
the provision of shelter, food security and
livelihood, WASH (water, sanitation and
hygiene), disaster risk reduction trainings,
community organizing and ecosystem
recovery. They are also part of the group
currently preparing for the much awaited
visit of Pope Francis in Palo, Leyte this
January. Meanwhile, the Social Action
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Center of the Diocese of Calbayog headed
by Fr. Cezar Aculan expressed his gratitude
to the Archdiocese of Palo for its relief
assistance. “This only proves that the
Catholic Church is true to our commitment to help the poor and the vulnerable.
Indeed, together we are more,” Fr. Aculan
exclaimed. So far the Catholic Church
through its social action arm NASSA/
Caritas Philippines has already released
about P3-million from the local church’s
emergency funds “Alay Kapwa” and other
local and non-Caritas Internationalis funds
for the purchase of relief goods typhoon-hit
areas, aside from each dioceses utilizing
local funds.The Alay Kapwa is the Lenten
evangelization and fundraising program
of the Church to raise consciousness and
funds for calamities and major social concerns.It also recently launched a Solidarity
Appeal to the 85 dioceses nationwide to
raise funds for the families affected by
Typhoon Ruby.
The staff of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo- Relief and Rehabilitation Unit help in the distribution of relief goods for the residents affected by Typhoon
Ruby in Catbalogan. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
Not even one of the offices of the Diocese of Calbayog was
spared from the devastation of Typhoon Ruby. RCAP-RRU
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo - Relief and Rehabilitation delivers relief packs for 1,150 residents
affected by Typhoon Ruby to nearby Catbalogan City in Samar. RCAP-RRU
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Typhoon 'Hagupit' Update Report
Country name: PHILIPPINES
Name of the emergency: Typhoon
Hagupit (local name “Ruby”)
Date: 10 December 2014
Sitrep number: 4
Prepared by Josephine Ignacio
Position: Head, Humanitarian Unit
Email: [email protected]
Organization: CBCP-NASSA
Caritas Philippines
1. Situation overview: All storm signals
have been lowered by the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
as Hagupit is forecasted to leave the Phil.
Area of Responsibility (PAR) at around
6 - 7 PM, 10 Dec. 2014.
Major supply routes in Region VIII
(Eastern Visayas) are now passable and
some ferry services have resumed operations. All airports are operational and
telecommunication systems are beginning
to be restored. However, there is still no
electricity in Eastern Samar province and
will be restored after an estimated two
weeks.
Among the priority needs identified
by both UN OCHA and the Dioceses are:
food, water, emergency shelter, sanitation
and hygiene.
Initial reports from the Diocese located
in Eastern Samar province estimated the
number of totally damaged houses at
11,265, and those partially damaged at
22,618. A similar report from Western
Samar province estimates that 80% of all
houses there were either totally or partially
damaged. However, since this afternoon
we started getting more alarming levels of
destruction especially on shelter and crops.
OCHA reports the number of evacuees
with special needs at 1.6 million: 43,200
female-headed households, 40,500 elderly
women, and 16,800 PWDs.
Meanwhile, local authorities have identified the need for basic hygiene and
WASH kits for 13,000 people living in
the northern and coastal municipalities
of Region VIII (provinces of E. Samar,
N. Samar, W. Samar, and Leyte). These
are sporadic information and needs to be
collated and compiled.
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Initial estimates by the government’s
Department of Agriculture indicate that
total damages to agriculture could be
around 1.3 billion pesos (US$28 million).
With some 70 per cent of families in the
affected regions dependent on agriculture
and fisheries for their livelihoods, Hagupit
could slow the recovery of Haiyan-affected
farmers (including coconuts and banana)
and fisherfolks.
2. Population data: As per the most recent
UN OCHA report last 09 Dec., 492,700
families (2.2 million people) have been affected across seven regions: Metro Manila,
IV, V, VII, VIII, and CARAGA. 396,200
families (1.7 million people) still reside in
evacuation centers, mostly in Region VIII.
The official total population of the
above-mentioned regions stand at 45.96
million people.
3. Emergency response:
3.1 Government response analysis
As per OCHA, the Government continues to deliver relief goods to the affected
areas. In Eastern Samar, additional airlifts
arrived in Borongan on 9 December. General food distributions are ongoing in the
affected municipalities. A supply hub was
established in Maslog municipality to reach
remote areas of Jipapad municipality which
can only be accessed by boat.
Initial reports from the diocese in Western Samar states that their local government
units (LGUs) have been overwhelmed and
do not have sufficient prepositioned relief
goods, or funds for purchasing additional
supplies.
3.2 NASSA-Caritas Philippines response
NASSA Caritas Philippines is getting
regular updates from all affected dioceses
either on Typhoon path or affected by the
Typhoon. The emergency funds (apportioned Alay-Kapwa Lenten collection) of
the Dioceses are being used to purchase
relief goods. NASSA augments it from
its National Alay-Kapwa funds as well as
other donations at its disposal. NASSA
Caritas Philippines will look for Rapid
Response Funding from CI member organizations in this regards and considering
its revision after completing the rapid
assessments in the worst hit areas. The
compilation of rapid assessment will
commence from tomorrow and should
complete by early next week. The Typhoon
affected DSACs are actively participating
in local level coordination mechanism to
ensure well-coordinated response from
all stake holders. NASSA Caritas Phil-
ippines has the following updates from
various dioceses who managed to be in
communication:
In general, dioceses are working closely
with local government units (LGUs) in
conducting rapid assessments in their
areas, opening up their facilities (such as
churches, seminaries, convents,
Schools etc) for use as evacuation centers, and providing food and other basic
needs to evacuees.
Based on available reports from Region
VIII alone, at least 41,734 families (around
200,000 people) took refuge in Church facilities operating as evacuation centers. At
least 5,970 families in evacuation centers
received relief packs in Regions VIII and IV.
Even before the typhoon landfall,
NASSA Caritas Philippines have already
placed Rapid Assessment Teams or RATs
(Humanitarian Unit staff with assistance
from Technical Advisors) on standby at
strategic places – Cebu and Panay Island
to undertake rapid assessments if needed,
along with Typhoon Ruby affected dioceses.
However, today NASSA Caritas Philippines decided to call off the Surge Teams
to free up staff members from development department and recouped assessment
teams to the worst hit areas like Samar
and Leyte. The Rapid Assessment Team
of Visayaswas deployed this morning
and headed already towards Tacloban
(with the Rellief and Rehabilitation Unit
or RRU of Palo at the helm) to undertake
the initial assessment for District 2 of the
Western Samar province. Depending on
road conditions, both the RAT Visayas and
the RRU-Palo will strategize to reach more
areas. The first rapid assessment report is
expected to be firmed up within 48 hours.
4. Fundraising Information
In order to allow affected DSACs to
undertake rapid assessment and initial lifesaving emergency support NASSA Caritas
Philippines made available resources available from Lenten campaign (Alay Kapwa)
and other bilateral donations. Since the
Typhoon path is wider and its destruction
extended to several non-Yolanda dioceses
till today, NASSA is putting together a
proposal for the considerration of the CI
Confederation for emergency funds. CI
MOs like Caritas Belgium, Caritas Australia, Caritas Denmark, CAFOD, CRS,
Trocaire and CHARIS-Singapore have
extended their solidarity support to NASSA
Caritas Philippines for those affected communities of Typhoon Ruby. NASSA has
opened a new account to facilitate donations specifically for this purpose:
1)US $ DOLLAR ACCOUNT:
Bank Name: METROBANK
Bank Branch: CBCP Intramuros
Address: 470 General Luna Street,
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
Account Holder's Name: CBCP CARITAS FILIPINAS FOUNDATION, INC.
Address: CBCP Compound, 470 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila,
Philippines
Bank Account Number: 632-263200293-3
SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
ABA: 0260082846
2) PhP PESO ACCOUNT
Bank Name: BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Bank Branch: Intramuros
Address: BPI Building, Muralla Street,
Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM
Philippines
3) PhP PESO ACCOUNT : FOR ALAYKAPWA DONATIONS ONLY.
Bank Name: BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Bank Branch: Intramuros
Address: BPI Building, Muralla Street,
Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM
Philippines
5. Other information
5.1. Security issues: No security issues
are identified other than safety measures to
observe based on extreme weather conditions. Law and order situation reportedly
normal in the Typhoon affected areas.
5.2 Logistics: Commercial flight operations have already resumed although
the day flights are more expensive and it
may take few more days to get it back to
its normal pace. Ferry services have also
resumed but not yet in full swing.
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New home this Christmas for 1,813
'Yolanda'-affected families
Caritas Philippines will be building 3,753 shelter units (ten designs, eight resilient features)
in nine dioceses (118 communities) across Visayan Region under #REACHPhilippines
Project. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
“I have devoted my life into service expecting nothing in return. This house is the most
priceless gift that’s been offered to me. I can only give thanks!” - Felicidad Santocidad,
Shelter beneficiary, Upper Bantigue, Daanbantayan, Cebu. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
About 1,813 families from nine provinces affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan) will be celebrating their first
Christmas in their newly-built shelters with
disaster-resilient features following the
series of turnover of houses by NASSA/
Caritas Philippines.
Those who received their new houses
this year are from 118 communities in
the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Eastern
Samar, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz,
Iloilo, and Cebu.
“Our Christmases will never be the same
again! Even with just plain porridge in the
table, we feel we are richer!” Leopoldo
Alcazaren, one of the shelter beneficiaries
in Iloilo, said.
The houses built by NASSA/Caritas
Philippines can be classified into three
categories: transitional, progressive core
and permanent, each with key features
and varying life span which depends on
the preference and need of the beneficiary.
As of October 31, permanent shelters
built are at 241 units, core shelters at
245, transitional shelters at 737, and units
repaired at 61. There is also an on-going
construction of 135 permanent shelters,
242 progressive core shelters, 42 transitional shelters, and 110 repairs, which
are expected to be finished before the
year ends.
“We do not just build houses that could
withstand typhoons or disasters. We also
considered the culture and preference of
the recipients. For instance, our indigenous communities in Palawan preferred
to keep the old look of their houses, so
we just added features to make it resilient,” Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona,
OCD said.
The houses are built based on the eight
resilient messages set by the Shelter Cluster Organization, namely: build on strong
foundations, tie-down from bottom up,
brace against the storm, use strong joints,
14
good roof, safe location, simple shape, and
being prepared by the resident.
Another distinct feature of the housing
project is the incorporation of the sweat
equity system, which revives the spirit
of ‘bayanihan’ among the community’s
people.
“This is our holistic approach to disaster
risk management. We are not only giving
them fish, we are also teaching them how
to fish. Along with the values formation,
we are building their capacities by giving
them various trainings such as skills on
how to build and repair their own houses,”
Archbishop Tirona added.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines, the social
action arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, is also focused
on the provision of water and sanitation
facilities, food security and livelihood
assistance and trainings, disaster risk reduction trainings, capacity building, and
ecosystem recovery.
“Now we know how it feels to live in a man’s house.” - Albin Pebrera, Core Shelter Beneficiary, Alang-Alang, Dapdap, Leyte. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
15
Filipinos To 'Ruby':
Not Again
“Pinaghandaan talaga namin ang hagupit
ni Ruby.”
(We really have prepared for the onslaught of Ruby.)Rev. Fr. Harlem Gozo
may have been joking. But their preparations paved the way for zero casualties,
minimal damage to properties and less
trauma to the residents of the Diocese of
Maasin in Southern Leyte.
The Diocesan Social Action Center
Director said that “the first thing we
did was to establish prayer brigades in
all the parishes. Then the local government units imposed early suspension of
classes, forced evacuation and relief
packing. The Provincial Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
started meeting daily and at the height
of the typhoon, we met morning and
afternoon ensuring that everyone is in
the know.”
In turn, they were gifted with very
minimal damage especially to houses.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council earlier congratulated
all the local government units for taking the
lead in ensuring that all safety precautions
were implemented.
To this we say: It is imperative that
we let the communities prepare, provide
everyone with the right information, act on
the information with the right standpoint
and prepare some more.
16
PHANTHOM OF PREVIOUS DISASTERS
World Bank’s Hazard Management
Unit in 2005 identified the Philippines as
among the countries where large percentages of population are in disaster-prone
areas. In a separate World Risk Report in
2012 published by the United Nations and
the Institute for Environment and Human
Security, Philippines is said to be the third
most disaster risk country in the globe at
27.98-percent.
From 2005 to 2011 alone, twentyfour major disasters hit the Philippines.
This is tantamount to over P60-billion
damages to private properties, agricultural lands, government installations
and other physical infrastructures, not
to mention the considerable loss of
livelihood and the death toll that keeps
on rising.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda, during
the inauguration of the Climate Change
Academy in November 2011 said that
“local government units swept by at least
three major disasters per year won’t be able
to sustain economically. In each typhoon,
3-percent of the annual local income is gone
in just a matter of hours. So we needed to
convince our constituents that we need to
act together. It’s the only way.”
However, while the government is trying to figure out the best strategy to reduce
the risks of disasters, typhoons, floods
and earthquakes abound the Philippines
in 2012.
Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) is remembered
to be one of the deadliest. It brought more
than 1,800 casualties and over $1.04-billionn destruction to the southern part of
the Philippines, affecting around 4 million
individuals.
And the government continue to cram
to find solutions… solutions to problems
where most of the time, the government
- local or national - is an accomplice, a
willing victim or a mere bystander.
Take the case of Typhoon Sendong
(Washi). President Benigno Aquino III
ordered an investigation of the alleged
illegal logging activities in Cagayan de
Oro and nearby provinces which was
said to have triggered the landslides
and flash floods killing almost 1,000
individuals. A national log ban was
subsequently declared by the President
but alas! 31 illegal logging hotspots
were identified by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources to
be still operating.
Then 2013 came. Another church fell
(Bohol earthquake). A father’s livelihood
vanished (Iloilo oil spill). Additional
houses drowned (typhoons Vinta, Santi,
Maring and Labuyo). More lives gone
(typhoon Yolanda). Similar disasters,
perpetual gaffes.
Taking matters into his own hands,
President Aquino said, “If we want this
tragedy to be the last of its kind, we need
to learn from our mistakes.”
LOWERING THE RISKS
When still campaigning for the institutionalization of the conduct of the
Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment
even before any disaster, Ms. Josephine
Ignacio, Humanitarian Unit Head of
NASSA/Caritas Philippines said that
“we expect the communities not only to
respond to any disaster but more to be fully
prepared. Considering that calamities as
strong as typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) are
the new normal nowadays, we need to
strengthen the capacities of our communities to decide for themselves, to know
and ask for what is good for them and to
have a voice to the decisions and policies
made both by the local and the national
governments.”
The message, received by the multisector attendees to the 2nd World Reconstruction Conference in New York in
September this year, was then translated to
what the Philippine Government now refer
to as the 2011-2028 National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Plan signed
by President Aquino in October.
The document states that the national leadership wanted to convey “a
paradigm shift from reactive to proactive Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) wherein men and
women have increased their awareness
and understanding of DRRM, with the
end in view of increasing people’s
resilience and decreasing their vulnerabilities.”
However, the plan is facing a lot of
awkward implementation challenges
more in Yolanda-stricken areas. Artchil
Fernandez of Iloilo-based The Daily
Guardian newspaper, refers to it as
a “tragedy made more tragic by human folly” and sticky socio-political
structure.
Rev. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive
Secretary of NASSA/Caritas Philippines
emphasized the need “to connect emergency response to a long-term development
agenda, and more importantly to link the
on-going rehabilitation with reform, and
with maximum participation of empowered communities.”
17
NASSA/Caritas Philippines activates a communication protocol at the height of Typhoon Ruby for faster communication
with affected diocesan social action centers. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
18
TYPHOON RUBY: THE REDEMPTION?
While Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) was
building strength, President Aquino is
commanding his army. “Failure on the
priorities is kind of unforgivable unless
there is force majeure. I will not be very
patient with excuses after this event.”
As for the Catholic Church, the diocesan
social action centers (DSACs) of the provinces included in the typhoon path were
preparing tremendously. On December
5, NASSA/Caritas Philippines convened
the Surge Team. Relief goods started to be
prepositioned. Parish halls, churches, convents were readied as evacuation centers.
Volunteers were alerted. Communication
lines secured. Emergency response teams
activated.
The first reports came from the Archdiocese of Capiz. Rev. Fr. Mark Granflor,
DSAC Director said that “we are now
experiencing strong winds and moderate to heavy rainfall.” Then requests for
additional supply of relief goods came.
A systematic reporting indicated in the
rapid needs assessment reports forwarded
to NASSA/Caritas Philippines enabled
the Surge Team to identify the areas
needing more intervention and immediate response. A communication protocol
was also established making the whole
process of the consolidation of reports
and providing appropriate actions easier
and efficient.
shelter materials and essential non-food
items and hygiene services for two months
to seven dioceses (10,000 most vulnerable
households).
The appeal hopes to raise P17-million
in addition to more than P3-million
already disbursed by the national social
action office through its Lenten evangelization program – Alay Kapwa, and the
other local funds utilized by each of the
dioceses.
As of this writing, the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council
said Ruby affected around 659,446 families or at least 2,779,248 individuals from
across the nine typhoon-affected regions.
But these numbers were also indicative
of how effectively the government, the
local churches and other institutions were
able to prepare for the typhoon.
UN Development Program Administrator, Helen Clark commented that the
preparation was an “extraordinary achievement and is a clear reflection of the careful
planning and strengthened institutional
capacity of the relevant authorities.”
However, according to Joseph Chacko,
Solidarity Team for Emergency Partnership (STEP) Team Leader from CI, “while
the government made an excellent job in
preparing everyone for the coming of Ruby,
all else including promises of speedy delivery of relief goods and other assistance
and services are yet to be fulfilled.”
Red flag was first raised on December
8 in Leyte following the massive flooding
in Dagami town and the storm surges that
washed-out several coastal barangays in
the municipality of Babatngon. Relief
goods and rapid assessment teams were
immediately sent to the areas.
On December 9, Rapid Needs Assessment Reports showed that roads in Sta.
Rita, Western Samar were impassable and
toppled electrical wirings were along the
roads in Villareal town. In Catbalogan,
houses were already raped by the strong
winds and many other areas were also
isolated due to flooding.
Soon, Borongan reported of having
almost 150,000 individuals affected by
the typhoon and that relief assistance
including food, hygiene and shelter kits
were urgently needed.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines, working
closely with other Caritas Internationalis
(CI) member-organizations, launched the
Emergency Appeal 35-2014 dubbed as
“Lifesaving Support to Typhoon Ruby
Survivors in the Philippines” aimed at
providing food supplements, emergency
RELIABILITY IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY
The Archdiocese of Palo – Relief and
Rehabilitation Unit, while responding to
their own emergencies, was also responding to the needs of neighbouring Calbayog
Diocese.
According to Rev. Fr. Cesar Aculan,
DSAC Director, “Palo RRU was the very
first to respond to our call for help. The
relief goods they brought to our parishes
were also the first.”
Rev. Fr. Alcris Badana, Director of the
RRU, humbly said that “Yolanda taught
us too many things. So we prepared diligently, set-up a command centre complete
with information and communication
desk, and prepositioned relief packs.
And not only because we come from the
church, but we felt that it is our moral
obligation to help, to respond to those in
need, like what they did to us when we
needed support. With our capacities, we
prepared like what everyone was doing
and responded instantly like Catholics
do.” From Typhoon Yolanda survivors,
they are now referred to as Ruby responders.
19
CBCP exec dismayed over ‘disaster
capitalism’ in 'Yolanda'-hit area
An official from a commission under
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
the Philippines (CBCP) that is currently
focused on the rehabilitation of the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
expressed his dismay over the so-called
“disaster capitalism” that is happening in
a Yolanda-stricken area in Iloilo.
In a round table discussion in Quezon
City, NASSA/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Fr. Edu Gariguez revealed
how the Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
framework under the government’s rehabilitation program to ‘Yolanda’ affected
areas is being used by big corporations
for their own benefit.
“There are reports of counter-reform
reactionaries and greedy corporations
taking advantage of the helpless and
hapless situation of Yolanda farmer and
fish folk victims, who are being eased
out of their lands and domiciles to give
way to new development projects such as
resorts or bigger land consolidations of
these predators. This is “disaster capitalism” in its ugliest form,” Fr. Gariguez
said in dismay.
Fr. Gariguez cited as example the
recent land grabbing case in the Sicogon
Island in Carles, Iloilo wherein 1,300
families or 6,000 residents displaced
by the super typhoon were prevented by
big corporations to return to their lands
after the implementation of a 40-meter
no build zone.
The Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO) plans to convert the
1,163-hectare island touted as the “first
Boracay” into a plush tourism destination.
Apparently, the priest said 250 of
those families were rightful beneficiaries
of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP) as 43-percent of the
total land area or 335 hectares is subject
to CARP.
“NASSA/Caritas Philippines extended our emergency response to
Sicogon by providing the communities
with shelter materials so that they can
replace the tarpaulin and have better
transitional houses. But the local corporation/developer, SIDECO, harassed
our staff and threatens to demolish the
houses if we would not come to a confrontation dialogue that they set. The
irony of this case is that SIDECO is
the local partner of Ayala Corporation,
which is also one of the major partners
of OPARR (Office of the Presidential
Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery) in its recovery program,” Fr.
Gariguez added.
He also mentioned various attempts by
SIDECO to derail the CARP implementation by filing various criminal cases
against the members of the Federation
of Sicogon Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (FESIFFA) such as robbery,
grave coercion, atempted homicide,
arson, among others.
He added that aside from the lands
subject to CARP, SIDECO also wanted
to gain control over the public forest
lands and project it as home of ‘critically
endangered species’ thus preventing
people from building houses even in the
forest lands.
“This is a double whammy for our
people who did not just lose their houses
20
from the typhoon but also from big corporations who are taking advantage of
the situation,” the priest lamented.
Currently, a joint venture between
FESIFFA and SIDECO to reach a compromise agreement that will allocate 30
hectares for residential site and provide
livelihood projects worth P38 million to
FESIFFA members is underway.
Unfortunately, Gariguez, said several provisions of the agreement were
vague and one-sided as FESIFFA
members had to withdraw all of its
agrarian reform claims to give way to
the development.
The mode of transfer of the land title
which is through a deed of donation is
also vague, according to Fr. Gariguez.
This is apart from the fact that the residential site being proposed is only 30
hectares in oppose to the 335 hectares
covered by CARP.
“The conditions imposed in this agreement are susceptible to abuse and leaves
FESIFFA at the mercy of SIDECO and
Ayala,” Gariguez concluded.
New Hope For ‘Yolanda'
Survivors In Palawan
For 49-year old Maribel Abrera-Grezo,
the pineapple is not merely a fruit – it has
become her symbol of hope.
After Super Typhoon Yolanda wreaked
havoc in November last year, nothing was
left of her small backyard farm in Sitio
Kiwit, Barangay Sagrada in Busuanga,
Palawan.
She grows different vegetables like
squashes, eggplants, chilli and pineapples
which she sells in the barangay proper.
Maribel and her family struggled to
rebuild their only means of living in
the remote and mountainous part of the
barangay.
After surviving the first few months after
the typhoon, she slowly started rehabilitating her small farm.
She received donations which included
fruits and vegetable seeds and seedlings
and planted them in her good old backyard
farm to replace those that perished during
the storm.
Among the donations she received were
900 pineapple seedlings from Caritas,
the National Secretariat for Social Action
(NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
“Pinili ko po talaga na pinya ang matanggap ko kasi paborito ko tong prutas at
maganda ang kita dito,” she shared while
tended to her humble farm.
(I chose to receive pineapples because
it is my favourite fruit and the profit is
high in selling it)
More than eight months after the typhoon, Maribel’s farm has started to produce fresh and healthy vegetables again.
Last July her long green peppers, which is
the secret of good Sinigang among locals,
were already in season. Her squashes were
harvested earlier in the year.
Her prized pineapples, on the other hand,
were just planted earlier in July and filled
her small farm.
“Pag tinitingnan ko po yung mga pinyang natanggap at natamin ko, gumagaan
ang loob ko. Nakikita ko nga kahit papaano,
nakabangon na kami at wala na kaming
masyadong aalahanin pa,” she said.
(Every time I look at the pineapples I
received and planted, I feel relieved. I realize that somehow, we have started getting
Maribel Abrera-Grezo of Sitio Kiwit in Busuanga, Palawan starts to grow vegetables and fruits again in
her own backyard after it was destroyed by the super typhoon. Erwin Mascarinas/PECOJON
up from the disaster and that we don’t have
to worry so much anymore)
New Home
A ten-minute walk from Maribel’s farm
will bring you to the home of the Aranas
family in the same remote sitio of Kiwit.
For their family, the promise of a new
and sturdier home would also make their
hearts and minds more at ease to overcome
any disasters in the future.
Emelita Aranas, 48 recalled how surprised they were when typhoon Yolanda
came.
“Maraming nerbyos po. Grabeng takot
po. Natanggalan po ng bubong yung bahay
naming, tsaka may anak pa kaming maliit.
Grabe po talaga yung hangin. First time
po naming makaranas ng ganung kalakas
na hangin. Marami nang bagyong dumaan
dito, pero hindi ganun,” Emelita recalled.
(We felt very nervous and very scared.
The roof of our house was gone and we
still have a small child. The wind was very
strong. It was the first time we experienced
that kind of strong winds. We’ve experienced a lot of typhoons, but not as worse
as during typhoon Yolanda)
But while their house was severely
damaged but not destroyed, one of their
children and her family were not as lucky.
Their house, which is just beside that
of Emelita’s, was totally destroyed. For
now, Emelita said her child and her family
chose to just rent a place in the barangay
proper so as to be nearer to the school of
their child.
In the aftermath of the typhoon, their
family received lots of donations from
the government, non-government organizations and the private sector. But these
were mostly relief goods, not enough to
help them stand on their own for the next
months.
Among the bigger help they received,
Emelita said, was from Caritas. They were
promised four piglets to start a livelihood
since they only rely on small-scale farming.
21
One of the residents in Sitio Kiwit has finds new hope after farming was revived in his community. Erwin Mascarinas/PECOJON
Emelita as well as the family of her
child were also promised a bigger, concrete house with their own comfort room
to be constructed sometime in September
or October.
“Sinuwerte po kaming makasama sa
pabahay at sa piglets. Aalagaan po naming mabuti yung para hindi kami malugi
pagdating ng apat na buwan na ibebenta na
po ito,” said Emelita, who started shedding
tears during the interview.
(We were lucky to be included in the
housing and the piglets assistance. We’ll
take good care of the piglets so that we get
profit when we sell them after four months)
“Tuwang-tuwa po kami. Siguro po,
utos na rin ito nga Panginoon at sa mga
taong magagandang loob na matulungan
kami,” she added.
(We’re very happy. Maybe is God’s
will and the good people that helped us)
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
If there was one thing that Emelita and
family regretted during the typhoon, it was
their stubbornness.
“Nagmatigas po talaga kami ng ulo,
hindi kami nagpunta sa evacuation sites.
Dito lang po kami as bahay,” she said.
(We were stubborn and we didn’t go
to the evacuation sites. We just stayed
at home)
She said it was among their realizations
when they joined the Participatory Disaster
Risk Assessment (PDRA) together with the
barangay officials and Caritas.
“Sumali po kami sa pinatawag na
PDRA. Nag-mapping po kami sa mga
lugar na na-damage tsaka sa mga hazardous na lugar. Basta magpatawag po sila,
bumababa po kami at nakikinig sa kanila,”
Emelita said.
Sagrada barangay captain Benjamin
22
Alarcon Jr. said the PDRA which was
conducted is very helpful for them.
“Kasali dun sa PDRA yung mga plano
sa evacuation at tsaka sa mga hazards
sa lugar naming. Malaking tulong din
mula sa PDRA yung mga nakuha naming
impormasyon especially sa mga livelihood na pwede naming maitulong sa
aming mga constituents,” the barangay
captain said.
(Included in the PDRA are the plans
on evacuation as well as the hazard
areas in our barangay. The PDRA is
very helpful especially on the livelihood
programs we can help provide for our
constituents.)
The hinterland barangay of Sagrada,
which is more than two hours from Coron
town proper, has a population of more than
1,000 people. Almost all of them were
severely affected by last year’s typhoon.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines
revives handicraft industry in
‘Yolanda’-hit Palawan
NASSA/Caritas Philippines in coordination with the Social Action Center Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay and the Design
Center of the Philippines has conducted
a three-day product development training
to 16 residents of Sitio Kiwit, Barangay
Sagrada in Busuanga, Palawan on November 5 to 7.
Part of a series of livelihood programs
intended for the survivors of super typhoon
Yolanda under the #ReachPhilippines
program, the activity aims to revive the
handicraft industry in the province by
teaching the residents how to come up
with better designs, quality products, and
by providing marketing assistance.
According to Program Manager Edlin
Indon of the Social Action Center of the
Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, he wanted
to develop the available indigenous material in the province which is bamboo split.
He did not also discount the possibility of catering the products of Sitio Kiwit
to the international market in the future.
Indon added that they could start by
having their own display center in the
province where they could showcase the
handicrafts made by the locals.
The Design Center of the Philippines,
a technical agency of the Department of
Trade and Industry mandated to promote
the quality and competitiveness of Philippine products, also saw the potential of the
handicraft industry in Palawan.
Indeed, with proper knowledge and
training on product development, the
residents of Sitio Kiwit could now see
their dreams turn into reality.
“Naniniwala po ako na mapagtatapos
ko po ang mga anak ko,” Lorna Daco, one
of the beneficiaries, exclaimed.
23
Meet Andresa:
39 Years Of Weaving Legacy
Andresa finishes one of her placemats, honouring Caritas. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
"My husband, Terio and I started basketweaving in 1975. We are using "baak"
(bamboo splits) to weave baskets which
were at first ordered just by our neighbors.
Then we shared the skill to our children,
at a young age, when we became famous
(chuckling). Often, we will divide the
weaving phases (process) to ourselves so
each will have an expertise. That way, the
weaving is done easier and finished earlier."
Andresa Daco, 58 years old of Sitio
Kiwit, Brgy. Sagrada,Busuanga, Palawan
proudly shared when we visited her family
last July 2014. She's one of the 191 livelihood family- beneficiaries of the Diocesan
Social Action Center of the Apostolic
Vicariate of Taytay.
"I learned the craft from my parents.
During their time, our place was known
for its baskets. The neighbourhood makes
the best ones.Unfortunately this time, we
were only very few. Our children opted to
transfer to the town proper in the hope of
finding greener pasture. It's sad. We are sad,
but we can't help things from happening.
Most of them have their own families now.
Of course they need to find other means
of more stable income."
The municipality of Busuanga, amid its
enormous supply of pearls, remains to be
in the list of the poorest municipalities in
the Philippines according to the National
Statistical Coordination Board.
When Typhoon Haiyan hit the area, the
situation got worse. Thus, together with the
AVT-SAC, Caritas Philippines launched
a Php 9,945,000.00 livelihood development program for the vicariate through
#REACHPhilippines project.
According to Rev. Fr. Ed Parino, AVTSAC Director, "so far, we have identified
14 weavers, 14 upland farmers, 36 small
scale backyard piggery raisers (families),
27 seaweeds farmers and 100 fishermen.
This is the biggest livelihood project ever
launched in Coron-Busuanga and we
24
wanted to implement this right, especially
for our weavers."
"We were very happy when we learned
that the Church is giving us capital to start
again," quips Andresa. "You see, many
consider weaving as a dying business
nowadays. Most of us are already old and
the process that we are used to is taking
too much of our strength."
Traditionally, the weavers will have to
first cut mature bamboo into shorter poles
with a bolo. Then, Andresa will have to
gather barks of kalamping tree.
Later, she will have to painstakingly
collect the bark's sap and brush it to the
bamboo for durability. To achieve a shiny
and smooth finis h, Andresa will sit for long
hours patiently and lightly running each
pole above a kerosene lamp until the once
green-coloured bamboo pole turns black
as midnight. Only then she can separate
the "baak" from the rest of the bamboo
and start weaving.
The weaving process Andresa grew up with needs a lot of patience and perseverance. It is a life skill she’s
forever thankful. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
"It will often take us three to five days
to finish a basket. Each will only cost Php
100-150.00 depending on the size. My
children often tell us that whatever we
earn from weaving will never be enough
to make a decent living.""But everything
changed when we started to help them."
Fr. Parino shared.
"The P20,000 starting capital we lend
each of the weavers has somehow given
them hope for a better future. And they
have started to produce handicrafts once we
only saw in pictures and heard in stories."
This November, as part of the commemorative anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan,
Caritas Philippines is initiating a product
development training for the weavers.
According to Mr. Cecilio Guardian,
Caritas Philippines' Livelihood Manager,
"we are hoping to introduce new technologies and strategies to our weaverbeneficiaries. Through the training, we
would like to give them the option to
dream bigger by providing them the
skills and means on how to improve
their handicrafts and make the industry
sustainable."
The training in partnership with Design
Center of the Philippines, which will also
be given to "tikog" (sea grass) weavers of
Calbayog and handy-bag crafters of Palo,
Leyte, aims to develop a unique product
line for each of the DSAC, assist in product
development and design, attract buyers and
reliable market, and ensure that livelihood
management is sustainable and is therefore
disaster risk resilient.
"There were instances in our lives
when we wanted badly to quit and forget
about weaving. But apart from where we
are standing, this is the only legacy we
inherited from our ancestors. We cannot
fail them now when we know we will also
be leaving soon. Thank you Caritas, our
dreams are now fulfilled," a teary-eyed
Andresa concluded.
25
Always Keeping the Faith
“Thanks God. Thank you Lord.”
These are the words ‘manang’ Jocelyn
Macoy mutters every time she’s given
another chance to wake up and enjoy the
day ahead.
At 56, Manang Jocelyn still finds it an
easy routine to wake up every four-thirty in
the morning and start her day by cleaning
their backyard. She then prepares food for
her 3 kids who all go to school.
The typical way on how she jump-starts
her day hides any traces of what she had
been through over the past eight months.
But as she recounted her experience on
the wake of typhoon Yolanda, tiny bricks
of grief and loss jaded by her inner strength
start to become visible.
“Iniisip ko lang yung nag Yolanda, parang nanginginig yung katawan ko,” says
manang Jocelyn as she looked out of the
window in a gesture of what could only
be interpreted as means of remembering
a painful experience.
(Just the thought of Yolanda sends shivers down my body),
“Lalo na pag wala kang kaagapay,”
she continues.
(Especially if you don’t have someone
to help you get through)
Manang Jocelyn has been raising her
kids alone after she lost her husband over
three years ago. While she has ‘pananahi’
(sewing) and vegetable planting as major
sources of income, sufficient support both
for their daily needs and her kids’ schooling
remains a big challenge.
She earns at least P130 for a whole
set of school uniform and P100 from her
vegetables.
But since these earnings are not on a
daily basis and are dependent on seasons
and weather conditions, even the dual
source of income is insufficient.
Despite this, Manang Jocelyn remains
confident and never loses hope.
“Pag nananalangin ka, hindi ka nakakalimot sa Panginoon, andiyan talaga siya. Kasi
siya lang talaga ang inaasahan mong kabalikat
mo. Siya din ang nagbuhay sayo kaya siya
rin ang may paraan kung hanggang kailan ka
sa mundong ito. Kaya talagang dasal lang.”
(As long as you pray, you don’t forget
the Lord, He is really there. He’s the only
one you can rely on to for help. He gave
you your life so He also has the way of
taking you from this world. It’s really
just prayer.)
26
Jocelyn Macoy of Barangay Nalooc in Kalibo, Aklan keeps her faith alive as she sews clothes for a living.
Charlie Saceda/PECOJON
True enough, her prayers were heard.
Caritas has started distributing non-food
items including nails, hammer and tarpaulin to the residents of Barangay Nalooc,
Kalibo, Aklan.
“Natutuwa ako dahil sa tulong ng ibang
bansa. Malaking tulong iyon sa amin. Sabi
ko ‘hay salamat Panginoon ng pinatawag
kami at nasali ako doon, nasama yung
pangalan ko,”
(I’m happy for the help given by other
countries. It’s a big help to us. I said, ‘Thank
you Lord that I was included in the list of
beneficiaries.)
Using the items she received from
Caritas and some of the remnants of her
destroyed homes (woods and bamboo),
Manang Jocelyn was able to create at least
a makeshift home for her family to reside.
“Sa totoo lang ako ang umaakyat niyan
at nagpapako!” She said in pride as she
pointed out a corner of their roof covered
with tarpaulin.
(To be honest, I personally climbed
and nailed that!)
It was not just because there was no one
else who’ll do the job. Manang Jocelyn’s
courage is driven by her dire sense of
responsibility to provide for her kids and
to at least make them feel that they are
moving on amidst Yolanda’s devastation.
In fact, she always finds time to extend
her gratitude to God by joining Bible studies every Sunday.
“Maaliwalas din ang pakiramdam mo
pagdating sa Panginoon, yung mag share
ka kung anong problema ng kapwa mo,”
she shares.
(You feel peaceful when it comes to
the Lord just like when you share other
people’s problems.)
And with a gentle smile, she said,
“Dasal lang talaga. Pag hindi ka lumapit
sa Panginoon, talagang wala.”
(It’s really prayers. If you don’t go to
the Lord, there’s nothing.)
Meet Mary Faith: Papa Is Back!
And Mary Faith is a happy child again! NASSA/Caritas Philippines
"After Yolanda, I just saw Papa packing his
things. I never saw Papa pack his things
before! Mama was crying. My baby sister
was crying. I cannot understand what was
happening. Was Papa leaving us? I was
really confused."
Only seven, Mary Faith Echavez recounts the day her Papa left them.
Her Mama, Romila, 37, told us that
"there was nothing left of our things after
the typhoon and I just gave birth to Mary
Kate. My husband was truly devastated
so he felt it would be pointless if we will
stay together."
"That was very hard for all of us, especially for Mary Faith. She was traumatized.
And when her father left, it worsened. I
won't see her smile anymore. She won't
play. Often, she will just sit beside me or
just be with her baby sister. What happened changed her in many ways," Romila
continued.
But when news came from the Archdiocesan Social Action Center of Jaro (JASAC)
that the family was included in the list of
shelter beneficiaries for Brgy. Pedada,
Ajuy, Iloilo, everything in the household
changed dramatically!
"I was so thankful we were included
in the list! It was overwhelming! Finally,
my husband can go home and work here
instead!" Romila said, now with sparkling
eyes!
We learned that Ronald, 38, left for
Manila to work. "If my husband won't
go to Manila, how can we survive here?"
Romila justified. "We need to sacrifice a
bit. This I explained to Mary Faith."
When Ronald came back, he enlisted as
one of the labourers in the barangay and has
been earning P280 a day ($174 a month).
"I couldn't ask for more. We now have
a house we can call our own. I have a job.
I am with my family again. God is just so
good to us," shares Ronald.
She dreams of becoming a teacher in
the future. But for now, her simple wishes
remain: "I wanted a dress for me and Mary
Kate. And a pair of slippers."
27
NASSA/Caritas Philippines provides
water systems for 961 households
The National Secretariat for Social ActionJustice & Peace (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines has so far provided water systems
for 961 families since the #REACHPhilippines program started this year.
This is apart from the sanitation facilities built for 3,608 households and 1,782
beneficiaries who participated in hygiene
promotion trainings from April 1 to September 31 of this year.
The beneficiaries were selected from
Super Typhoon Yolanda worst-hit areas,
whose water access to potable water and
sanitation have been paralyzed.
They are from the areas of Palo, Coron,
Calbayog, Kalibo, Capiz, Cebu, Antique,
Iloilo, and Borongan.
“I still cannot believe that we now have
our own source of safe drinking water. We
thought it was just an impossible dream,”
Barangay Captain Ronnel Seroy of Tabangohay, Leyte said.
For the first year alone, NASSA/Caritas
Philippines targets the construction of
water systems to 8,335 households, provision of sanitation to 4,054 households,
and promotion of hygiene use to 16,443
individuals.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines is the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
that is currently focused in a three-year
rehabilitation program for the survivors
of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
The abandoned water pipe from previous project (left). Rafael Mutiko (with stick) gives instructions during water
system construction (middle). Water finally is flowing from the reservoir to the pipe system (right). NASSA/Caritas Philippines
28
Meet Ramil:
This Is Miracle Water!
Ramil Seroy, the chieftain, in his working
clothes during the pipe water construction phase. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
Ramil Seroy is a seasoned
local leader from Brgy. Tabangohay in Alang- alang,
Leyte. In his terms either
as barangay councillor or
chieftain, only one community problem will arise every
barangay assembly - the lack
of sufficient, potable drinking
water. Over the years, they
become used to it. Or so they
thought.
Even before typhoon
Yolanda devastated large
parts of the Philippines, access to clean water has always been limited in Tabngohay. "The local government
of Leyte has always been
promising to look into our
problem. Together with the
DSWD, they even funded the
construction of a reservoir
and a pipe water system in
our barangay. But for some
reasons, it won't just work,"
Ramil explained to us.
Thus Caritas Philippines
commissioned Rafael Mutiko, a WASH expert and
public health engineer.
"We laughed to ourselves
and said, "Many already have
tried and failed. What strategy will this man do to keep
himself from failing and us
from laughing more?" Ramil
said blushing.
As if being tested, the initial assessment and try-outs
won't work. But alas! After
barely a week, water was
abundantly flowing!
"It's a miracle!" enthused
Ramil. "We were so happy.
We can see the water flowing
from the spring endlessly!
Then we realized our mistake. We failed to trust God
and His workers. We were
so ashamed of ourselves. We
cannot even look into Rafael's
eyes," recalled Ramil.
"We often experience
lack of support and sym-
pathy in the communities
especially when we are introducing new things. But
criticisms cannot make us
stop. It only fires us up,"
shares Ronald Abao, the
Program Manager of the
Palo Archdiocese's Relief
and Rehabilitation Unit.
And so the community, to
make amends, volunteered
to help in the construction
of the water system through
whichever way they can.
Every day, young and old
would go where the water
pipe is being constructed.
They will be bringing bolos
to clear the way, food for the
workers or just laughter to
brighten the mood.
Ramil told us that "everyone cooperated. Land owners
even donated parcels of their
property for the way leaf of
the pipe line. Because of
what happened, we became
truly a family in the barangay.
And water never tasted this
sweet!"
When the pipe line was
finally installed in the centre
of the village, the people were
just as ecstatic! They were
really able to build a water
facility near their homes that
actually worked.
Tabangohay's water facility is just one of the 35,550
water and sanitation facilities
which will be built for vulnerable Yolanda-stricken communities under #REACHPhilippines, ranging from
individual latrines to communal water sources.
"Now, we are assured that
this sweet-tasting water will
stay for a long time. We just
need to take care of the facility," Ramil said firmly.
And as for Rafael, he is
now considered in the nine
dioceses as the "miracle water
engineer."
29
Meet Nora: No Read, No Write.
Knows Red And White.
Nora is seated besider her newfound teacher Lorna (in pink shawl), with her newfound happiness.
NASSA/Caritas Philippines
Seated at the corner of the room, I watched
the woman to my right intently. She smiles
timidly. I caught her several times glancing
at her workbook with doubtful, even angry
eyes and conversed with anyone hardly.
Nora Hermalis is an illiterate. This I
discovered.
"During the sessions, I was so mad at
myself because I cannot understand what
all of you were saying, because all of you
were talking in English! I was madder when
I tried to scan the workbook and
discovered all of it was written in
English! I cannot read and I cannot write!
Don't you know that?!" Nora, crying almost
hysterically, told me.
Nora blames her mother who abandoned
her and, her father who was stabbed to
death, for her lack of education. After
thirty-four years, now married and with
children, she's still carrying the anger,
pain and frustration of not being able to
go to school.
And all these surfaced during the small
group sharing at the psychosocial first-aid
activity (workshop) held last September
2014 in Tacloban City.
Dubbed as the "caring for the carers" program, the activity would like
to give attention to the emotional and
psychosocial state of the church workers,
including Nora, who during the height
of the devastation of Haiyan provided
the much-needed intervention to the
survivors.
"We would like to make sure that we do
not forget our front-liners. We want them
to stay strong and focused and without
any emotional burden so they can carryon with their works and lives healthier
and happier," Mr. Harriet Hormillosa,
President of the Reintegration for Care
and Wholeness Foundation, Inc. - Caritas
Philippines' partner in providing psychosocial intervention.
"I never knew I'm still keeping that ugly
feeling. I thought I have completely dealt
with it during the first training. But I'm
glad I was able to fully express it now,"
Nora narrates.
Nora is a full-time BEC (basic ecclesial
communities) worker of Sto. Nino Parish in
Tacloban City. She is one of the facilitators
who are in-charge of the formation of the
BECs in the parish.
After Haiyan hit Leyte, she knew that
most of the members of her BEC team
died. "Those who survived were almost
30
like zombies. I told myself, how are we
going to move on?"
According to Palo Archbishop John Du,
"it was devastating enough to see everything gone. It was even more demoralizing
to know that you have no one to share your
sufferings with."
But Nora realized that nothing is
stronger than the human spirit. "The
workshop made me realize that my being
illiterate is not a handicap. It's actually
an opportunity for me to learn more and
serve even better."
True to her high hopes, Ma'am Lorna, a
guidance counsellor, who's also a participant to the workshop volunteered to help
her learn how to read and write. The goal
is for Nora to be able to take the Department of Education's assessment and placement examination and take "ladderized"
education. So every Saturday afternoon or
Sunday evening, Ma'am Lorna will go to
Nora's house and teach her.
Ma'am Lorna proudly reported to us
after three weeks, "Nora is now a certified student! She first asked me to teach
her spell and write two words - red, her
favourite colour and white, heaven's phenomenon of light.
Catholic Church rolls out P26-million
for Typhoon 'Pablo' survivors’ rehab
The Catholic Church through its partner,
Caritas Internationalis, spent P26 million
in its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts to areas severely affected by Typhoon
Pablo (international name Bopha) back in
December 4, 2012.
The rehabilitation project, which was
implemented in February 2013 and was
initially set for five months, was served
to the provinces of Davao Oriental,
Compostela Valley, Surigao del Sur and
Agusan del Sur that were directly hit by
the typhoon.
The project, however, was extended
to one year following pledges by Caritas New Zealand specifically for shelter
construction.
Among the projects completed within
one-year period are the provision of basic
survival kits to sustain food, hygiene and
thermal protection needs to 855 affected
families.
A total of 800 families also received
transitional shelters built with disaster
resilient techniques.
In fact, Caritas shelters were the first
completed units to rise in the municipalities
of Cateel and Boston both in Davao Oriental with lands provided by the barangays.
It can be recalled that Typhoon Pablo
was one of the strongest tropical cyclones
to hit the Southern Philippines, affecting
5.4 million individuals.
Lemon grass: a recipe for livelihood recovery in Leyte
Cymbopogon is the scientific name
of a group of grasses which grows in
Asia, a fixture in backyards and vacant
lots in the Philippines, and is often
taken for granted by many Filipinos.
But for the people of the province
of Leyte, lemon grass or tanglad (as
cymbopogon is popularly known)
represents an innovative steppingstone in their path to recovery from
typhoon Yolanda.
For many Filipinos, lemon grass
is merely an essential ingredient for
certain native dishes. As a type of
grass which easily grows wherever it’s
planted, it’s easy to mistake it for weeds
and underestimate its value. In fact in
other countries, tanglad tea is consumed
to cure a wide variety of ailments.
It is this untapped potential which
Caritas Philippines and the Archdiocese of Palo Social Action Center have
tapped as part of its livelihood recovery
program for the people of Leyte. To
date, several training sessions have
been held to show how lemon grass can
be used to create a very delicious yet
highly nutritious tea. It is hoped that
this will add value to such a humble
plant found almost everywhere, and
at the same time create more demand
for the product.
But Caritas has only scratched the
surface. Studies have shown that lemon
grass can also be used as ingredients
for pesticide, insect repellent, perfume,
and many more. With continued assistance, the full potential of this humble
grass in livelihood and other recovery
projects can be discovered and realized.
One of the residents in Palo in Leyte shows off her lemon grass juice recipe. NASSA/Caritas Philippines
31

9 - Impact Magazine

Transcription

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