NDRRMC reported 12.7 billion damage to agriculture (crops, livestock, fisheries) and 2.1 billion in infrastructures (schools, hospitals, roads, bridges).

Five provinces, eight cities and five municipalities were declared under state of calamity. These were the provinces in Quirino, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Cavite. The cities under state of calamity were Santiago in Isabela, Tuguegara in Cagayan, Meycauayan in Bulacan, Olongapo in Zambales, Tarlac in Tarlac, and Malabon, Navotas and Marikina in Metro Manila.

The number of people killed has also increased to 83, with 73 more injured, and 20 others missing. A total of 3 million people were affected, or 651,889 families in 3,545 barangays in 35 provinces.

Typhoon Quiel (Nalgae), which followed soon after Pedring, brought more rains and floods.

Photos here

At least 20 people were killed, 14 injured and 35 missing in the National Capital Region, and the provinces of La Union, Cagayan, Bulacan, Zambales, Pampanga, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Ifugao.

All in all, 349 barangays, 78 municipalities, and 17 cities in 22 provinces of Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, CAR and NCR were affected.

The initial cost of damages to 46 school buildings and crops amounted to Php 100,264,840.63, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.

There were 9 floodings, 5 landslides, 1 tornado, 14 sea mishaps, 2 collapsed structures, and 1 vehicular accident reported in various regions affected.

The typhoon, which made landfall in Isabela and Aurora, toppled trees, blocked major roads and damaged property.

In Metro Manila, winds and torrential rain inundated parts of Manila, Malabon and Marikina. A storm surge flooded a large portion of Roxas Boulevard.

Meanwhile, the local government of Obando in Bulacan placed the town under state of calamity after 11 barangays were submerged in flood waters. Local officials said the damage sustained by the coastal town was worse than what super typhoon Ondoy brought 2 years ago. Obando was submerged in neck-deep water Tuesday. Most areas in the town are still isolated due to impassable roads and flood waters that have yet to subside.

In the Cordillera region, communication lines bogged down in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Abra and in some areas of Benguet hampering immediate data gathering and coordination. To date power blackouts are still experienced in almost all of the provinces. A series of landslides along the major roads within the region were also monitored with Mt. Province and Apayao greatly affected.

The strong winds and heavy rainfall damaged agricultural lands in Kapangan, Tublay, and Kibungan. Vegetables ready for harvest were blown off, including rice fields in Lower Tabuk, Kalinga. Fields were submerged by the overflow of the Chico River. Aside from the rice and vegetables, corn producing areas were also affected. Flooding in low lying areas of Benguet such as La Trinidad, and Lowland Tabuk were also observed.

Appeal for Assistance

The affected families are in need of the following:

• Food provision: rice and sardines
• Potable drinking water
• Water containers

Donations for the affected families may be sent through the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center at 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, Philippines. Concerned individuals and donors can easily reach us at (632) 929-9822 / (632) 929-9820 or info@cdrc-phil.com.

You may also deposit your donations to the following accounts:

Dollar Account

Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Account Number:  2636-0015-83

Bank:  Metrobank, Examiner Branch

Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Peso Account

Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Account Number:  1560-6430-16

Bank:  China Bank, Examiner Branch

Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines

Sources:

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

Media reports

Reports from the Regional Centers

Mina started out as a Low Pressure Area in the Visayas Region on August 21, and gradually developed into a typhoon on August 25 as it moved westward towards Northern Luzon. It finally moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on August 29.

But before leaving the country, Mina wrought damage to houses, agriculture and livestock. An estimated damage to properties was pegged at Php1.1. billion. It also left 26 killed, 31 injured and 6 missing.

A dumpsite collapsed in Brgy Irisan, Baguio City at the height of the typhoon, killing 5 people and burying 3 houses. The city was declared under state of calamity.

The provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte were also declared under state of calamity after being submerged in flood water.

Photo Courtesy: Donna Kordilyera

Reports from:

NDRRMC

PDI

ICRED

CDRDS

CRRS-CV

Kalinga Province

Falling electrical post resulting to massive brownout in Kalinga

Kalinga is one among the hardly hit province by super typhoon Juan on October 17 to 19, 2010. The province was under signal # 1 on October 17 then on the early morning of October 18, Kalinga was under Signal #3 then just a few hours it was under signal #4. On October 19, it was under signal number 2. The strong winds with few rainfall was experienced on the late afternoon of October 17, 2010 but in the morning of October 18, 2010, the winds became stronger accompanied by heavy down pour of rains which lasted up to the early morning of October 19, 2010.

At midday in October 18, 2010, Juan’s rage was felt throughout the province; the strong winds and rainfall caused the Chico River and other river systems to swell which flooded the communities and rice fields near the riverbanks. The trees and electric post were uprooted or fallen, roofing materials of houses, waiting sheds, school buildings, pig pens and other building were blown by the winds and fruits of fruit -bearing trees fell down. As the electric post fell down, communication lines cut down and there was total power shot down all over the province.

Series of landslides occurred along the major road networks. First to close was the Gonogon Section of the Tabuk-Bontoc Road, then small landslides and fallen trees also happened from Gonogon Section up to Tinglayan. Other major roads that closed included Balbalan –Pinukpuk, Tabuk-Paracelis, Junction Pinukpuk-Wagud and Pasil –Balbalan. The municipalities in Upper Kalinga are isolated and beyond reach due to closure of roads and damaged communication facilities until now (Oct. 23, 2010)

Clearing of road landslide

In Lowland Tabuk, pre-emptive evacuation was done on October 17 PM. Residents along the Chico River and low-lying communities evacuated to Tabuk Gym and Laya East Elementary School. The evacuees composed of 270 families (1,225 individuals) came from Appas, Cabaruan, Calanan, Dagupan Weste, Lanna, Laya East, Magsaysay, San Juan and Sucbot. Families who evacuated to houses of their relatives were not accounted.

Based on reports from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Tabuk as of October 19, 2010, 124,354 individuals were affected in Tabuk. There were significant damages to infrastructures such as irrigation systems, roads, bridges, public buildings and other structures with still undetermined amount. Residential houses were not spared, there were 5,466 partially damaged houses and 1,587 totally damaged. Most of the totally damaged houses were made of light materials. Some sturdy houses were partially damaged.

Data obtained from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on October 23, 2010 revealed that province wide, there were 37,019 families (213,208 individuals) affected from the eight (8) municipalities of Kalinga. 314 families from Tabuk and Rizal were evacuated to evacuation centers. Most of the evacuees returned to their Barangays but there are still 28 families who are living with relatives because their houses were totally damaged. There was 1 casualty in Babalag, Rizal who was pinned down by fallen trees and 6 persons injured (1 each from Tabuk and Pinukpuk and 4 from Rizal).

A house wrecked by the typhoon

As to damage houses, 1,757 houses were totally damaged and 9,511 partially damaged with Tabuk, Rizal & Pinukpuk having the biggest number of families with damaged houses. There were also 4 school buildings damaged with estimated cost of 3.2 million pesos.

Total land area devoted to rice, corn, and high value cash crops affected was 520 hectares with production loss of more than 39 million pesos. Generally, palay at fruiting stage and about to be harvested was mostly damaged. Affected families are distress for lack of food in the coming days and months due to loss of rice harvest.

As of October 23, 2010, power supply for whole province is still not yet restored.

Province of Ifugao

Ifugao was one among the 4 provinces in the Cordillera that was under signal #4 on October 18, 2010. Geographically, Ifugao is near to Isabela where Typhoon Juan had its landfall so it has almost the same damaged suffered by Isabela. There were 63 barangays and 1,135 families affected with 2 casualties (1 each from Tinoc and Hingyon). There were 322 partially damaged houses and 69 totally damaged houses with Aguinaldo having 119 partially damaged and Alfonso Lista with 55 totally damaged houses.

Rice crops destroyed by the typhoon

DA Regional Director Alviar Jr. said that Ifugao was the most affected in terms of rice production among the Cordillera provinces with 1,880 hectares of about to be harvested palay had been damaged. Other damaged crops were corn, vegetables and fruit trees. The estimated value of damaged crops is near to 300 million pesos. Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista and Lagawe incurred the biggest loss in terms of damages to crops. Damages to livetocks and fisheries have already reached more than 6 million pesos.

Roads are still closed, on-going restoration by DPWH for Banaue-Hungduan Rd., Banaue-Mayaoyao-Aguinaldo-Isabela rd., Nueva Viscaya-Ifugao Rd., and the Bontoc-Banaue Rd. Aside from damaged roads there were reported 14 school buildings that were damaged.

Power supply for Aguinaldo, Hungduan, Mayoyao and Tinoc is still off. Restoration is affected by landslides along roads leading to the said municipalities.

Province of Apayao

Fallen trees became obstacles to roads

Apayao roads were closed before midday on October 18, 2010 due to landslides and road obstacles such as fallen trees and debris carried by strong rains and winds. The rage of Typhoon Juan affected the whole province but the municipalities mostly affected were Pudtol, Kalanasan, Conner and Kabugao.

In Kabugao, there were 200 partially damaged houses and 50 totally damaged houses followed by Conner, Pudtol, Sta. Marcela and Kabugao with more than 200 partially damaged houses. Province wide, the total partially damaged houses was recorded at 1,089 and 58 totally damaged houses.

The road connecting the province to Cagayan and other provincial roads were closed such as the Claveria-Calanasan and Lenneng-Kabugao due to overflowing of the Maranas River and landslides.

Crops and infrastructures were also greatly damaged in Apayao. According to NDRRMC, as of October 22, 2010, the estimated loss in crops is 250 million pesos.

The municipalities of Conner, Calanasan and Kabugao have no power supply up to this date.

Mountain Province

The province was not spared by Typhoon Juan; on October 18, 2010 it was under signal #4. Juan was considered one among the strongest typhoon that hit the province with very strong winds. There was also strong rain but tolerable as compared to typhoon Pepeng. Though very strong, destruction to life was prevented because pre-emptive evacuation was done before the height of the typhoon. 126 families from Tadian were evacuated to church buildings for safer dwelling.

Remnants of a totally damaged house

Paracelis, the nearest municipality of Mountain Province to Isabela has the highest number of destroyed houses. There were 150 totally damaged and 1,000 partially damaged houses. All through out the province, there were 158 totally damaged houses and 1,079 partially damaged houses. An old female resident in Bantay, Paracelis was injured when she was struck by falling tree during the height of Typhoon Juan.

In Sagada, 27.82 hectares planted with vegetables & fruits ready to harvest was affected. There were eroded ricefields in Ambasing, Tanulong, Kilong and Taccong. In Dagdag there was washed out rice fields. Amount of these damages are still to be assessed and validated. NDCC reported that the estimated loss to crops is 42.8 million pesos. One school building was reported damaged with estimated cost of 50,000.00 pesos.

Paracelis and Natonin power supply is not yet restored until today. The crew of MOPRECO can not reach the 2 municipalities due impassable roads. As mentioned earlier, there were series of landslides along the stretch of Bontoc-to Paracelis road which is more than 75 kilometers.

Abra

The highest typhoon signal recorded by PAGASA for the province of Abra during the 3 days lingering of Typhoon Juan in the Cordillera Region was #3. Though the damages in the province was not as huge compared to the other provinces, Abra still incurred significant damages especially in the municipalities of Lacub, Malibcong and Tubo. From these 3 municipalities, there were 112 partially damaged houses and 3 totally damaged houses. Families with damaged houses temporarily evacuated to safer homes of their relatives while houses that are partially damaged are being repaired by affected families.

Market stall blown by the typhoon

Initial report showed that rice crops that are about to be harvested on November were destroyed due to strong winds and flooding. Estimated amount of damaged palay is 1.7 million pesos. The estimated damaged to crops is 3.6 million pesos.

Roads leading to upland municipalities were impassable by vehicles due to swelled rivers and creeks crossing the roads and series of landslides. The Kalinga-Abra road and the Abra-Cervantes Road are still closed. The difficulty of transportation isolated the municipalities in upland Abra. Moreover, supplies of basic communities especially food are beginning to deplete in stores and houses.

Benguet

When Typhoon Typhoon entered PAR on October 17, 2010, the weather was still fine; there was no sign for a strong typhoon to come. Typhon Signal #1 was declared in Benguet on October 17, 2010 but in the early morning of October 18, 2010, the province was under TS #3. There were already strong winds with few rains in the morning but as the hours passed, winds became tougher and the downfall of rain is increasing. The situation remained up to midnight of October 18, 2010, at this time the eye of the storm was spotted somewhere in Atok, Benguet towards La Union. It was observed that the direction of the winds changed, from northwest it turned northeast and the rainfall became higher. Though Benguet was put under TS#1 at 5AM on October 19, 2010, the strength of wind and rainfall did not changed until evening. Mild winds and rains continued up to October 20, 2010.

The whole province was affected by Juan, there were reported 251 damaged houses with 245 partially and 6 totally damaged houses mostly from Sablan and Tuba. There were 6,196 families affected with 1 casualty from La Trinidad due to electrocution and 5 persons injured. More or less 400 families evacuated due to endangered houses, some communities in Itogon, Tublay and La Trinindad that were previously hit by typhoon Pepeng last year had pre-emptive evacuation prior to the onset of the strong winds and rains.

The farmers are deeply saddened by Typhoon Juan because most of the crops were badly damaged. Some of the salvaged vegetables were not transported to market outlets due to closed roads. Farmers who were able to bring their farm products to La Trinidad Trading Post waited until October 20, 2010 before their products were disposed because traders from the lowland resumed buying vegetables after the typhoon weakened and the roads opened. In Tublay, its Local Chief Executive estimated loss to crops was near to 60 million pesos. Cut-flowers ready to harvest for the All Saints Day were damaged, the green houses were blown by the strong wind. As of October 21, 2010, the estimated agricultural loss in the province is more than 200 million pesos.

Meanwhile, the 2 dams in Itogon (Binga and Ambuclao) released water from the dam gates because it already reached the critical level. The released waters are accumulated to a bigger dam at San Roque, though it did not yet reached its critical level, the continuous rain triggers accumulation of rains in the 3 dams that may fill the San Roque Dam.

Bakun, Bokod and Kibungan power supply is still being restored.

In Labey, Bokod, one of the communities ravaged by Typhoon Pepeng last year was less affected this time. There was minimal damaged in agriculture (especially in beans and banana tree). Most of the community people had their crops harvested before the Typhoon came. Though typhoon Juan affected the water system in the community, most of the water hose going to the houses were damaged because of the strong winds. The mobility of the people in sitio Panganan with 35 families is affected because they cannot cross the river due to the strong water current. However according to the chairperson of LIPCA the water current slowly weakened and the swelled water already subsided. Minor landslides were observed in the area. There was no electric power in the area and the school is still closed.

Baguio City

Baguio City experienced the same strength of Typhoon Juan with Benguet. There were 40 barangays and 532 families mostly affected with 1 recorded casualty and 3 injured persons. 341 families evacuated mostly coming from City Camp Lagoon area. There were 3 totally damaged houses and 21 partially damaged houses.

Baguio City also experienced total power shut down on October 18, 2010. Restoration of lights was done on the following day. As of October 22, 2010, 80% of the city has power; the remaining 20 % is still being restored by BENECO. Power restoration is difficult due to fallen trees that destroyed power lines. In the city proper there were 63 fallen trees.

CDRDS had relief delivery operations on October 22, 2010 to Kias evacuees numbering to 10 families. Delivered goods are food and non-food. These families are temporarily staying at the Day Care Center because their houses are endangered due to loose soil, at day time they are in their residential houses fixing damages and clearing landslides but at night time they return back to the center.

Report from: CDRDS

Photo: Cagayan Valley Region, CRRS-CV

As Supertyphoon Juan (International name: Megi) heads out of the Philippines, it left billions of pesos of damages on staple crops, vital infrastructures, and power transmission lines in Northern Luzon. Thousands of people were dislocated, including some 12 people who died.

As of 4:00 p.m. today, October 20, 2010, Juan was located 350 km West of Laoag City with maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph while moving North Northwest at 7 kph. It is expected that Juan will be located at 440 km west of Laoag City morning of October 21, 2010.

Though Public Storm Warning Signals were downgraded to Signal No. 1 (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, and Zambales), the 300 km radius of Juan still howls and whips the islands including those in the Visayas Region.

On its way out, Juan left 39,897 families with 215,275 individuals uprooted from the communities of Region I, II, III, IV-A, CAR, and NCR. Damaging almost 5,000 houses, 25 schools (amounting to 3.8 Million pesos), and 1.3 Billion pesos worth of crops and fisheries, and leaving widespread power outage.

Though Juan is on its way out, authorities maintained its warning on the possibilities of landslides and flashfloods. Communities located at the coastlines are also warned of the possibilities of storm surges.

Sources:

NDRRMC

CDRC Regional Centers

Local media

Photo: Barangay Pasungol, Santa, Ilocos Sur, ICRED

As early as 4:00 a.m. today (Oct 19), Juan was last seen 210 km West Southwest of Laoag City heading Northwest at 22 kph. Its maximum wind reached to 160 kph near the center while gustiness up to 195 kph.

Juan’s trail with 225 kph and gusts of 260 kph yesterday’s morning landfall at Sierra Madre’s Estagno Point in Isabela left 1589 families with 7458 individuals evacuated. These numbers comprises 172 individuals of La Union, and 240 of Pangasinan of Region I. While in Region II, 3,385 of Cagayan, and 943 of Isabela. Aurora of Central Luzon had 2,016 individuals evacuated. In Cordillera Autonomous Region, Benguet had 444 individuals, Kalinga 44, and Mountain Province with 214.

Aside from these numbers, 3 persons died, and 9 injured were recorded.

Several roads and bridges in Regions I, II, CAR were closed due to landslides, fallen trees and electric posts, and swelling rivers affecting 1,939 land and water transportation passengers.

Power transmissions of 17 electric cooperatives covering Regions I, II, and CAR were interrupted. 210 municipalities and cities were affected.

According to officials of PAGASA, Juan is the world’s strongest typhoon to hit this year. It may also be stronger than typhoon “Reming” that hit the Philippines last 2006 in the Bicol region.

Sources: NDRRMC, PhiStar, PDI

]]> http://www.cdrc-phil.com/supertyphoon-juan-megi-traversing-philippines-with-casualties-and-damages/feed/ 0 http://www.cdrc-phil.com/initial-report-on-typhoon-juan-3687-affected/ http://www.cdrc-phil.com/initial-report-on-typhoon-juan-3687-affected/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:27:10 +0000 CDRC Admin http://www.cdrc-phil.com/?p=4903

Photo: Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Aringay, La Union, ICRED

As of 4:00 p.m., October 18, 2010, 781 families comprising of 3,687 individuals from Region I, II, and the CAR have been evacuated to local Community Centers, Bgry. Halls, and Gymnasium as precautionary measures after Typhoon Juan as it tracked the soil of Philippines territory.

Ilocus Sur of Region I, a road was closed due to heavy rain. In Roxas and Santiago of Isabela, interrupted power supply, uprooted trees, and roof blown away were recorded. Cagayan also suffered from strong winds, and heavy rain. In Benguet, Baguio, Apayao, and Mt. Province of CAR had to closed several roads due to landslides, heavy rain, and strong winds.

According to NDRRMC, it had recorded casualties that summed up to 1 injured (Sta. Cagayan), and 1 missing (Namabbalan, Cagayan). However, the final verification about the status of the casualties are yet to be confirmed.

Source: NDRRMC

It was past 7 o’clock in the morning of March 22 when we left Baguio and started traveling the mountain roads that will lead us to Bokod and Itogon. We were to learn about the impacts of Typhoon Pepeng (International name: Parma) in the villages, the response of the residents in these areas and the dangers that they continue to face.

It has been five months after typhoon Pepeng hit Northern Luzon, but as we traversed the slopes of Bokod and Itogon, we still saw evidences of Pepeng’s destruction.

Remembering Pepeng

Our country has not yet recovered from the effects of Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana), when in October, eight days after Ondoy exited the country, typhoon Pepeng lashed the Northern part of Luzon, making three landfalls over the same area.

It caused massive flooding and landslides in Regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region which isolated major cities and blocked major highways.

The number of casualties reached 719. Of this, 465 were killed, 207 were injured, and 47 remain missing. In the landslide-hit area of Cordillera alone, 346 people were confirmed dead.

First Stop: Labey, Bokod

Two pick-up trucks took us to Labey, one of the sitios in Barangay Ambuclao, 4 km away from the town proper of Bokod in Benguet Province. There are 57 families or 320 people in the area. Their key sources of income before typhoon Pepeng were gardening, farming, and vending of tilapia fish and vegetables.

Sitio Labey and neighboring villages were isolated for almost two months due to landslides. Although no deaths or serious injuries were reported, local agricultural lands and infrastructure were destroyed and more than 50 families were devastated when the river grew and overflowed in the evening of October 8.

Our ascent and descent by foot gave us a clearer view of the area where Pepeng buried or washed away houses, washed out a church, destroyed fish pens and three footbridges, and filled school buildings with mud.

At 11:30 am, we proceeded to a spot surrounded by trees and tall grasses. There, a short program consisting of speeches and sharing of experiences was held. I listened attentively to Mary Bugtong, chairperson of the Labey Indigenous People Community Association (LIPCA) as she recounted the community’s experience before, during and after the disaster struck the village.

“It was an unusual night for us. Dogs were barking nonstop, and we heard stones and rocks falling. We thought these could be signs of an impending danger so we quickly moved out to find a safer place to stay,” she said.

But even the church where they stayed temporarily was very unstable as it was being eaten from underneath by the river.

“Some family members were also missing. We were crying. We felt relieved when they were later found alive and safe,” Mary added.

People from Labey is now slowly recovering. They have cleared their lands, and in some parts, various kinds of vegetables are already growing. “But it will take several years to rebuild the rice fields,” the vice president of LIPCA admitted. Because of this, and the proneness of the area to rain-induced landslides, residents plan to relocate. They have found an area suitable for settlement, but the landowner is still hesitant to give a portion of his land.

It was 2 o’clock when lunch consisting of tilapia, ricecakes and brewed coffee was served.

Next Stop: Luneta, Itogon

Our next destination is Luneta where we are to stay for 3 hours to check the situation of the residents and see how they are coping with the typhoon’s aftermath. Luneta is a sitio in Antamok, Itogon, which stands atop an open pit mine. It is populated by small scale miners and their families.

From afar, we could see white balls mushrooming inside a gated area, but as we walk nearer, we saw white round tents serving as temporary shelters for the survivors of Pepeng. It’s been five months, yet they are still there, enduring the hot afternoons and cold nights. I wonder how long those tents could protect them after El Nino ends and typhoons start coming in.

That afternoon, community members and leaders began to arrive one by one to share their stories.

“A huge portion of Sitio Luneta suddenly sank at the height of Typhoon “Pepeng. Our houses were totally wrecked,” said one of the villagers. The area, according to the them, is a former underground worksite of a mining company.

“It ate through most of Luneta, and now, we people are homeless,” he added. The space which the residents now temporarily occupy, is privately owned by a mining company. Looking for a permanent relocation site remains a problem.

Many of the villagers still suffer from trauma. Children are still haunted by the stories of those who died in Itogon at the height of typhoon Pepeng. One of the Nanays, who was supposed to tell how she lost a member of her family stood up and walked away. She has not recovered from the the pain of losing a loved one.

I could only imagine the horror of the residents as rocks and mud slammed into their houses.

Thoughts on Mining

I’ve heard stories before about the assaulting stench of grayish rivers in Benguet. No, I did not smell anything like that from where we were standing. The downpour of rain probably washed away the source of stench temporarily. But the scene we were looking at in Luneta was enough evidence of how the mining activities of the defunct Benguet Corporation aggravated the effects of Pepeng.

Large-scale mining has been destroying Benguet mountains since the 19th century. It began to wipe out watersheds, pollute water channels, destroy water systems and halt the development of wet rice culture. It later stripped and caved mountains, and before the year 2000 ended, it had destroyed 20,000 hectares of agricultural land.

It worries me that forest and mountain lands are stripped to make way for mining. It saddens me learning that in addition to the big local and global firms operating in the area, new local and transnational corporations are coming in. It saddens me more thinking that unless we put a halt on destructive mining, there’ll be more sinking villages in the midst of strong typhoons. Something has to be done.

Helping People Help Themselves

Help poured in after Pepeng destroyed villages in Bokod and Itogon. Local Government Units, People’s Organizations and various humanitarian groups offered assistance, focusing on the immediate needs of the survivors.

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) in partnership with the Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (CDRDS) distributed food relief, non-food packs and shelter materials through projects funded by Caritas Switzerland, Caritas Austria and the Austrian Development Agency.

Psychosocial sessions/therapies for children and women were also conducted simultaneously. These helped alleviate their sentiments of loss and hopelessness and helped them cope with their current situation.

Aside from these, CDRC and CDRDS also conducted trainings and seminars on community-based disaster management, disaster preparedness, sustainable agriculture and alternative sources of living. Both veered away from the dole-out approach and instead made sure that the community’s and people’s organizations’ capability were enhanced. They have both relied on people’s capacity and cooperative action.

In Labey, the Labey Indigenous People’s Community Association formed became active not just during disaster situations but even in times when pre and post disaster measures were undertaken. Rice cooperatives are functioning. Disaster Preparedness Committees were also formed in other villages and were involved in relief delivery, organizing, advocacy and livelihood activities, among others.

“We are thankful for all those who helped us, especially CDRC, CDRDS and CARITAS for the rice, the pots, blankets and GI sheets. We are also thankful that you allowed us to participate in the trainings that you have conducted. You have taught us to stand on our feet,” Mary Bugtong said.

In Luneta, our friend from CDRDS admitted difficulties in organizing the community. There are some who remain dependent on what humanitarian organizations can provide. But the social workers and organizers remain hopeful. “It’s hard work, but we are getting there, slowly but surely. The number of active participants increases everyday,” they said.

***

It was past 6 pm when we headed back to CDRDS Office in Baguio City for a brief discussion and assessment of the activity. By 9 pm, I was in bed, contemplating.

Benguet is in Cordillera, a geologically unstable region. It is the region with the highest incidence of rainfall in the country, so we can expect more typhoons, more floods and more landslides in the coming months. (And didn’t I mention that Cordillera also has four dormant volcanoes and eleven major earthquake faults?). Moreover, over-exploitation of the region’s mineral resources, poverty and government neglect make the people extremely vulnerable to disasters.

Our visit to Labey in Bokod and Luneta in Itogon is a tiring yet enlightening one. Floods and landslides caused by typhoon Pepeng definitely wrought havoc to Labey and Luneta. In Luneta, in particular, the effects of the typhoon were aggravated by the destructive large-scale mining. Hearing the stories from survivors and seeing the destruction themselves, I realized how important it is that communities learn how to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-induced disasters.

But I’m glad that with the help of CDRC and CDRDS, these communities are already taking steps to enhance their capacities and reduce their vulnerabilities.

by: Angeline May Isla Odilao

Information and Advocacy Officer

Research and Public Information Department

Some 45 houses will be repaired in Sitio Labey in Bokod, Benguet, one of the communities which suffered from extensive damages after it was hit by typhoon Pepeng (Parma) in October 2009.

Labey and neighboring villages were isolated for almost 2 months due to landslides. Although no deaths or serious injuries have been reported, agricultural lands and infrastructure were destroyed and 57 families were devastated.

About 50 people attended the ceremony. Among those in attendance were Ms. Ursina Mueller, representative of Caritas Switzerland; Lourdes Louella Escandor, executive director of Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC); and Jimmy Khayog, executive director of Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services (CDRDS).

In her speech, Ms. Escandor said: “It is a good thing that people started to reorganize themselves after disasters. The repair of homes will not be possible without the spirit of bayanihan in the community, and without the assistance of Caritas.”

The event is part of the project “Disaster Relief for Ketsana and Parma Affected Families” funded by Caritas Switzerland, Caritas Austria and the Austrian Development Agency, and implemented by CDRC and 5 of its regional centers, which includes CDRDS.

The project aims to alleviate the suffering of 5000 families affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng through the distribution of shelter/construction materials and non-food items (plastic sheets, blankets, sleeping mats, cooking and eating utensils) and provision of psychosocial services to those suffering from post traumatic stress.

Five regions including Regions 1, 2, 3, 5 and CAR will benefit from the project. The Cordillera Region incurred most of the damages in Northern Luzon with 309 dead and P1.4 billion worth of damages.