In Southern Philippines, hundreds of thousands remain in need months after Typhoon Bopha

In Southern Philippines, hundreds of thousands remain in need months after Typhoon Bopha

Two months after Typhoon Bopha, people in the southern Philippines continue to struggle. The United Nations said it was 2012's "deadliest" storm, with more than 1,000 killed, hundreds of thousands displaced and massive destruction to houses, infrastructure and farms. FSRN’s Madonna Virola travelled to the badly battered province of Compostela Valley and brings us this update.

Travelling on a public bus from Davao City, I pass through Montevista town. Communities that once stood on nearby river beds are now gone. Typhoon Bopha wiped them out.

Hundreds of houses are destroyed, the remaining roofs are twisted. Countless coconut and banana trees are uprooted or chopped off. Oil palms are felled along road sides.

At Monkayo municipality, there’s a disaster operations tent which is staffed by employees and volunteers.

High school teacher Mylene Cuesta is here, seeking assistance.

She lost sight in her left eye from the typhoon.

“When the typhoon hit our community at dawn time, it brought harsh winds so we scampered for safe shelter as we feared a landslide. Thousands of houses were wiped out. I was holding my one-year-old old baby who kept crying. I even breastfed him. Before I lost consciousness on the ground, galvanized iron sheets hit my eyes which caused heavy bleeding. My husband and neighbours carried me, crossed huge rivers, crawled on bridges and ran for miles.  It was 12 midnight when we reached a hospital.”

Many government employees were doubly struck, suffering their own losses yet also  being responsible to meet the needs of others.

 

Local information officer Joan Pintal’s house was damaged, but she proceeded with her work providing service delivery.

 

”This is first time for people of Monkayo.  It’s scary. All electricity was out, no water, it was run over by a big tree.//

Another Survivor from Union village is 70-year-old Sulpicio Balawag.

”We lost our farm, our livelihood. I was carried away by the rush of waters. Logs hit me. I drowned. I was rescued by companions. The following day, they brought me to the hospital in the next town where I stayed for 6 days. “

Nearby, the government’s gymnasium was turned into an evacuation center.

The center is filled with more than 300 survivors from typhoon Bopha, also called Pablo. Rooms have been improvised out of cloth and wood.

It's early afternoon, and  some are cooking food while children are playing.

A group of service providers from International Organization for Migration IS talking with SOME OF THE women.

Christy Marfil is their senior operations assistant.

Christy Clip 1 (Female, English)//”For now, we have camp management, where our staff monitor the needs of the people here at the evacuation center. We have this shingles making where people who live in the evacuation center, we ask them if they want to make nipa shingles, we provide the materials, we’ll pay for their labor. They’regiven skills training.”//

Several other groups in and out of the country have extended their services from rescue and retrieval operations, to distributing relief goods and cash. Other efforts are focusing on shelter and housing.

Lawyer Abdussabor Sawadjaan Jr, is operations manager for an international foundation with Aa office in Davao City.

Abdussabor Clip 1 (Male, English) ”We have now ‘Rebuild Mindanao’. It’s a campaign wherein Habitat for Humanity Philippines will help construct decent and resilient homes for the victims of typhoon Pablo. We’ll be distributing shelter repair kits for those partially damaged houses- those are roofings, corrugated sheets, nails and hammer so that they can repair their own homes in the hope that they will return to the normalcy of their life.

Over 840,000 people are still displaced, including 700,000 whose livelihoods were destroyed by

the typhoon.

 

Survivors also need mental health services. Dr. Gail Ilagan is director of the Center of Psychological Extension and Research Services or COPERS AT Ateneo de Davao University.

 

”Sometimes it’s about psychological first aid of the community if ready for it; sometimes Critical Incident Stress Debriefing if we’re focusing on how the disaster affected a particular demographics like service providers - they have a different psychological reaction to the tasks that the face like picking up dead bodies; for some It was about brief counselling because they have lost members of their community; but more importantly, we’ve been biased at supporting the psychological recovery of children. Or it’s about working with the adults in order to help them provide the kind of environment that would stabilize the children.”//

Using the help of volunteer graduate students,  Dr. Ilagan’s Center accompanied service providers following the typhoon to offer mental health support in some of the hardest hit areas like New Bataan in Compostela Valley, Baganga in Davao Oriental, and Caraga region.

 

”For communities to become stronger, not only that they recover, with very little help, but also for them to rearrange, such that they become prepared for the next one, because the world is changing, you’ve got this global climate change happening, it’s not going to go away in the next decade or next generation, you’ll have more extreme events happening in the most unpredictable of places. We have to capacitate them at the grassroots level.”

As recovery and reconstruction continue, many are showing signs of resilience.  For high school teacher Mylene Cuesta, she says she’s anxious to get back to her students.

”I will continue encouraging them to dream for a better life. Never to quit schooling. When I look at the mirror, my already ugly and scarred eyes could be discouraging. But what’s important is I still have one eye left to persevere in life.”

Following an appeal from the Philippine government and the United Nations for more aid, Australia pledged an additional $3 million.

 

The funds are for emergency shelters, including improvements of existing shelter facilities in the worst-hit areas.

 

Funding will also go to emergency cash-for-work programs to help clear debris and provide critically needed income to workers across the affected areas.

 

Artists protest government crackdowns worldwide
Artists in several countries are participating in a day of action to “defend people’s culture” and protest states that suppress artistic expression through intimidation and imprisonment. Today’s action in the Philippines comes just 16 days after the government released poet Ericson Acosta after he served almost two years in prison. FSRN’s Madonna Virola reports.

Poet Ericson Acosta was arrested by the military in 2011. He says he was interrogated, tortured, jailed and falsely charged with illegally possessing explosives. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice dropped charges against him.
Despite this victory, Renan Ortiz with Concerned Artists of the Philippines says freedom still remains elusive for many artists. His group is calling for the release of more than 400 political prisoners in the country, many of whom are cultural workers. Ortiz sites the case of film student Maricon Montajes, who was arrested in 2010 on firearms charges.
Today’s “Artists Break the Chains” concert here in Quezon City brought together more than 100 artists, cultural workers and their supporters. Similar actions were held by artists in Los Angeles, Canada, the Netherlands, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan. Madonna Virola, FSRN, Quezon City.

The Philippines - No Longer a Smokers' Paradise

The Philippines - No Longer a Smokers’ Paradise

Saturday, 29 December 2012 08:05 Madonna Virola

Photo: Madonna Virola

The Philippines used to be one of the cheapest places in the world to light up.

But that will no longer be the case after President Benigno Aquino signed the Sin Tax reform bill.

Drinking and smoking will be more expensive – they will cost at least double after the hefty tax hikes.

The bill aims to levy higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tobacco products to generate additional revenue of more than 800 thousand US dollars.

As Madonna Virola reports, health advocates praised the bill, saying that it’s more than just about the money.

Rosalyn Hernandez-Sebastian is a pulmonologist and a member of the Philippines Medical Association.

As a health activist, she welcomes the new bill.

“We in the medical field take it as an early Christmas gift. It’s a reason for us to celebrate because finally we have something tangible to brighten up the situation of the dismal health situation because of tobacco-related diseases. Every hour, 10 Filipinos die of varied causes related to tobacco. First is cancer, you have stroke, heart attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. These are the top killers in the global trend.”

According to the government, an estimated 28 percent of Filipinos over the age of 15 smoke, as do nearly 50 percent of males.

The Philippines also has the largest number of smokers in Southeast Asia, due partly to the very low prices of cigarettes.

A pack of 20 international-brand cigarettes costs less than 1 US dollar – about one-eighth the price of a pack in Singapore. Some local brands are half that price.

Gladys Mendoza sells cigars and liquor in her mini-store.

“With the bill, the prices will definitely go up. My customers say they will cut down or stop buying. I admit that I’m earning big money from their vices but I’m also concerned about my customers. They tell me that with a cigarette and liquor, even for a few moments, they are able to feel good, have a good sleep, to forget their problems, especially their poverty. The money to buy food is used for other things. I’m afraid that with their addiction, some of them might resort to stealing.”

Higher taxes on so called ‘sin products’ are expected to discourage the poor from smoking and drinking and keep them from getting sick.

Medical associations reckon the tax will prevent 70,000 tobacco-related deaths a year.

57-year old fisherman Efren lives in the poor village of Lazareto. He stopped fishing because his health deteriorated.

”I started smoking at 16. I saw my parents doing it. Starting with one cigarette, I went on to smoking packs of them. The same goes for drinking. I’m poor but it’s very cheap so I could afford it. Given another chance, I would not smoke because it’s taken a toll on my health. Sometime ago, I was hospitalized because I had a stroke. The sin tax bill will discourage smokers and drinkers.”

The bill is estimated to generate additional revenue of more than 800,000 US dollars in the first year.

The money will be spent on universal health care programs and supporting tobacco farmers, including farmers in northern Luzon, which is a major tobacco producing area.

The Philippines signed the World Tobacco Framework in 2004.

Passing the bill is a milestone for President Aquino - something his predecessors failed to do.

”We want to achieve universal health care. The sin tax bill will make a big contribution. While cutting down on vices, it will also generate funds for health.”

But the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association is campaigning online against all senators who voted in favour of the bill.

They’re telling people not to vote for them in next year’s elections, accusing them of being anti-farmer and anti-labour.

The campaign includes e-news, posters, text messages, emails, e-cards and e-petitions.

Health advocate Rosalyn Hernandez- Sebastian is trying to discredit the campaign by speaking out to the people.

She believes younger generations and President Aquino, a smoker himself, will benefit from the bill.

“We want to thank the President for the political will that has been shown, that finally we have something to look forward to in the very sorry picture of the health system. It’s a right step in the right direction. And many people will actually be saved not just now, but in the future. We hope that this can generate enough information, not just for smokers now, but for the future generations as well. If you have that in mind Mr President, we also ask you to look at yourself. You might want to think about your own health too because we want more bills like this to pass. We need you.”

 

Girl's Death Triggers Gun Debate in the Philippines

Girl's Death Triggers Gun Debate in the Philippines

Saturday, 19 January 2013 08:25 Madonna T. Virola

Photo: Madonna T. Virola

A six month ban on carrying guns in public has begun in the Philippines ahead of elections in May.

But fresh calls for stricter gun control sparked after recent shooting incidents.

On New Year’s Eve, 7-year old Stephanie Nicole Ella, was hit by a bullet in Caloocan City.

Two more children have been killed in separate shootings during the first few days of January.

With more than 600 thousand unlicensed firearms across the country, many demand a total gun ban.

Madonna Virola has more from Manila.

In the crowded village of Tala in Caloocan City, I meet 33-year old Elaine Ella.

On the walls there are posters condemning the shooting of her 7-year old daughter, Nicole.

“We’re still grieveing the loss of our child. We thank those who support us, even if they didn’t know Nicole. God must have a reason for her loss. The senseless killings must stop. We appeal to the person who shot my child, to come out and face up to their crime.”

Nicole was watching the New Year fireworks with her relatives outside her house when she was hit in the left side of her head by a stray bullet.

Police officials are still trying to find out whether or not the gun belonged to one of the gun owners in the neighbourhood.

Marilyn Laureno is the principal at Nicole’s elementary school.

She says Nicole was a star pupil who dreamed of becoming a teacher.

She fears there will be more deadly incidents similar to the one that killed Nicole.

“On the first day of school, our security guard was able to discover two slugs in front of our shop building. That means it’s not only Nicole’s incident, but there were other people who fired their guns indiscriminately in the New Year’s Eve and that endangered lives. How about if there were people here in the school? Other schools within the vicinity have also discovered slugs.”

On New Year’s Eve, 4-year old Ranjilo Nemer was also shot by a drunken man with a homemade shotgun.

A few days later, 2 girls and a pregnant woman were shot by a drug-crazed gunman holding a semi-automatic pistol. At least 10 others were wounded.

The Gunless Society of the Philippines says it’s had enough of all the violence. Nandy Pacheco is its president.

"I think it's the culture; the culture of guns... the culture of violence that is being promoted by the government itself. Why do I say that? Gun exhibits that take place every 3 months, selling off guns in stores, allowing people to carry firearms.”

According to the police, there are more than 1.2 million registered firearms in the country, and more than 600 thousand unlicensed guns in circulation.

Ernesto Tabujara from PROGUN, the country’s main firearms advocacy group, argues that the problem lies with the illegal weapons.

“According to the statistics of the Police, 99.9 per cent of crimes committed using firearms in the Philippines are committed with unlicensed or loose firearms. Less than 1 percent of crimes are committed with licensed firearms. The problem are actually loose and unregistered firearms. However, we’re also not shirking from our social responsibility to the public to educate gun owners in the proper, responsible and legitimate, and honest use of firearms.”

Last year, the House of Representatives passed the final reading of the Comprehensive Firearms Bill that would allow only members of the police and the military to be armed in public.

The proposed law has not yet been adopted.

President Benigno Aquino, a gun enthusiast himself, has rejected the idea of a total gun ban.

He said the best solution was to get rid of the unlicensed weapons, while allowing law-abiding citizens to carry weapons for self-defense.

PROGUN’s Ernesto believes that it will take more than a gun ban to stop people from getting shot.

“As a lawyer, I can say that it is really inefficiency of our government, corruption is also a problem, and the culture of being able to bribe your way through anything in this country especially the justice system. It creates a culture of impunity which was brought up during this time when journalists are killed when nobody was being held accountable. There is no fear on the part of criminal that he will be caught or convicted of any offense.”

Back in Caloocan City, Nicole’s 10-year old neighbour Apple, hopes to play outside without fear of getting shot.

“I am sad because people are dying. Nicole was just watching the fireworks then suddenly she was shot dead.”

 

No Ordinary Tour Guide

No Ordinary Tour Guide Saturday, 16 February 2013 08:30 Madonna T. Virola Carlos Celdran is no ordinary Manila tour guide. He’s also a pro-contraception activist who was recently sentenced to more than one year in prison for his protest. In 2010, he interrupted a church service to show his support for the Reproductive Health Bill – heavily opossed by the Catholic Church. Madonna Virola talks to Celdran about the protest after he filed his appeal to the court. “I decided to dress up as our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, he wrote the book “Noli Me Tangere” where the bad guy is a priest named “Padre Damaso” who has been a symbol of clergy abuse. So I went to the Church with the word “Damaso” above me, presented that one word to all of the bishops of the Philippines during an ecumenical meeting at the Manila Cathedral.” He also shouted ‘stop getting involved in politics’ before he was taken away by the police. “I was slapped with the crime of offending religious feelings, an archaic Spanish era law where you’re not supposed to speak up against religion. And after 2 years trial, I‘ve been found guilty and I’m sentenced to 2 months and one year in jail.” Monsignor Nestor Cerbo, rector of Manila Cathedral, said that the Church has forgiven Celdran but he should still compensate for the damage done. Carlos Celdran is a tour guide in Manila, famous for his theatrical act. He’s also an HIV/AIDS awareness activist and since 2003 has routinely distributed condoms and birth control pills to residents of squatter communities. He believes that reproductive health is the silver bullet to economic development. With the highest birth rate in South East Asia, the Philippines finally passed the Reproductive Health Bill late last year – after 13 years of trying. The bill has had the strong backing of President Benigno Aquino, but the Church says the law could corrupt moral values. Celdran said that he was not surprised by the court’s decision. But Carlos Conde, a researcher for Human Rights Watch Asia, says nobody should be sent to jail for something they’ve said. ”We’re monitoring the case and we’re behind Mr. Celdran all the way. Our effort in Human Rights Watch is to internationalize the case, to bring attention not just to this problem but also to the fact that Reproductive Health Law had been stalled in Congress for a long time. We’re very thankful that it’s been passed. It’s just bad that Mr. Celdran and the others are collateral damage in this fight. The Reproductive Health Law is important, but we also think Freedom of Expression is important.” A petition has been filed to the Supreme Court against the newly signed bill. The Catholic Church argues that the law undermines the value of marriage and increases promiscuity. Celdran’s case won’t have any impact on the law, but it acts as a warning to Filipinos. “This sends a chilling effect on the faithful not to go against the Church in things such as Reproductive Health. That perpetuates the sorry state of Reproductive Health in the Philippines and leaves people, especially the poor Filipinos, in a state of attack by the church in effect. The case and the verdict against Mr Celdran is a way by the Church to go after its critics and it’s not good.” Celdran is currently out on bail. In a Facebook post, Celdran said that he’s going to fight this until the end. “I am still very hopeful. I truly believe the Philippines is a secular and logical country. And I feel privileged that I am in a position to prove that. Also, that Filipinos would take into mind that freedom of speech and all sorts of freedom is not an end goal but it is a process, and we have constantly have to be vigilant in order to protect or freedom of speech. I hope that it sparked the discussion and interest among Filipinos of the importance to separate our spiritual beliefs from the realities of the world.”

55 rescued as ship sinks in Calapan

55 rescued as ship sinks in Calapan By Madonna T. Virola Inquirer Southern Luzon 10:51 pm | Thursday, January 31st, 2013 3 301 231 THE ILL-FATED ship MV Baleno 168 of Besta Shipping Lines starts to sink after tilting at the Calapan City port. MADONNA T. VIROLA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON CITY OF CALAPAN—At least 55 passengers were rescued from a ship that took in seawater as it was about to dock here Thursday. A Philippine Ports Authority source, who talked on condition of anonymity until details of the incident are officially released, said the MV Baleno 168 of Besta Shipping Lines tilted on its starboard side when it reached this city’s port. The vessel sank at around 10 a.m. after taking in water and when the crew shut the ship’s engine down, said ship captain Marlon Delda. “All 55 passengers are safe. Our 29 staffers helped them get out of the vessel,” Delda told the Inquirer. He said the vessel left the Batangas port at 6:30 a.m. Delda belied speculations that there were holes in the vessel which caused it to sink. “We are also investigating where the water came from,” he said. He refused to discuss more details until he has given an official statement to port authorities and the Coast Guard.

Port authorities ground ships of company in Mindoro marine accident

Port authorities ground ships of company in Mindoro marine accident By Madonna T. Virola Inquirer Southern Luzon 6:56 pm | Friday, February 1st, 2013 CALAPAN CITY, Philippines—Port authorities here have grounded all ships of Besta Shipping Lines, which owns the roll-on-roll-off MV Baleno 168 that sank after seawater flooded the vessel as it was about to dock at the Calapan port on Thursday morning. Weng Sanz, coordinator of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said in a phone interview Friday that port authorities have grounded all vessels of the shipping line following the incident. Victor Arellano, the Philippine Ports Authority’s port manager, said the Philippine Coast Guard and PPA immediately cordoned off the area to prevent unauthorized persons from getting close since the vessel still had fuel and could explode. Authorities feared an explosion as 18 vehicles were still in the vessel. At least 55 passengers were rescued from the vessel that plied the Calapan-Batangas route. Initial investigation showed the vessel, which has a registered gross tonnage of 989, had a hole at the bottom near the propeller, which caused the ship to list to the starboard side and sink in shallow water. Arellano said they have borrowed an oil boom from a gas station here to manage an oil spill. “We will serve a notice for the owner to pull their vessel,” he said. On December 27, 2009, MV Baleno 9, an inter-island vessel also operated by the same shipping line, sank off Isla Verde in Batangas, as it was sailing from Calapan to Batangas. A total of 132 passengers were on the ferry. Six died, 72 survived and 54 remained missing.