EDITORIAL

IDPs shall be partners, not just victims

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It has been almost two months since Typhoon Sendong (Washi) hit Northern Mindanao and displaced more than half a million individuals. When President Aquino declared state of national calamity, international humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies flooded the city to provide emergency response to affected population. Donations from local and national government, non-government organizations and individuals were also massive to help out the victims. Indeed, overwhelming assistance was afforded to the survivors. However this overwhelming assistance has not been distributed fairly and equally to the affected communities and in fact some communities did not even receive any that in some instances led to serious competition and division among the affected communities. In Iligan City, there were regular meetings since the onset of the disaster to map out plan on what has to be done to address the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and what has transpired was the lack of participation from the victims themselves. The IDPs’ active participation might have been unintentionally neglected due to the overwhelming damage and unforeseen impact of Sendong. Maybe a week or two is understandable but 50 days had passed after the disaster hit Iligan no consultation yet with the IDPs by the government officials has been conducted. Unintentional maybe, however disregarding victims’ participation poses a crucial and serious blow to their human right and dignity as persons. It has to be understood that victims’ situation should not make them less of human beings even amidst the calamity just like this. Noble plans for the recovery and rehabilitation of the victims were carefully tailored but are the affected people been consulted and are these plans what the victims needed? One thing is for sure, the government has the capacity to consult

the victims because first, they have the

resources both human and financial and second, it is their duty and responsibility. In fact their duty includes ensuring the preparedness of the peoples before the disaster and not just to react to disaster. And they are paid to do that.

There was an initiative from the civil society to gather the IDPs for consultation so that they can represent themselves and put forward their demands before the bodies responsible for the recovery and rehabilitation processes. However, it seems that some of the city officials are reluctant to support such initiative. Of late however, the government has finally launched series of consultations to the affected communities and families. But plans have already been made and important demands from the IDPs would no longer be included as important inputs in in rebuilding their lives and determining their future thus disempowering them as essential part of the process. It is very revealing how the government perceives the nature and role of the IDPs in this very unfortunate situation. The IDPs are merely seen as victims and therefore recipients of relief goods and not partners who are decisive in rebuilding their lives and future. What is clear as being stipulated in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID) is that, ”IDPs have the right to full participation and planning and management of their return, resettlement and reintegration”, and this remain to be only theoretical and only belong in the piece of paper from the point of view of those who claim to be serious in helping the IDPs and this include no less than the government. It is time to move now and help in the empowerment of the IDPs. This kind of process now will determine the kind of future the IDPs in truly rebuilding their lives.

IDPs are Partners Not Just Victims

Taken from Laville Gymnasium, Tubod, Iligan City, the photo shows a man helping to build his temporary room in the evacuation center. This shows his will to be part of their dramatic return to normalcy - a central actor, not just a plain recipient in the stage of rehabilitation and recovery.

Duyog Iligan’s second issue celebrates IDPs’ voices in reclaiming their lives, restoring their dignity, and rebuilding their lives. In the process of rehabilitation and recovery, it is imperative that the IDPs participation and decision are included in any processes concerning about their future.

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OpinionOpinion Opinion

RJ NEYRA

Plus Fifty Days Delay in Rebuilding Lives

Just inches away from the Hinaplanon Bridge, no one would not irk at the view manifested before ones’ very eyes. Several families collected the shatters and debris of Sendong and formed them into a wishy-washy miniature – what they call a house. These houses were ill-decorated with placards expressing their unbearable discontent about their condition. However these are just papers whose content are not articulated into and aggregated by the center of power. There is also a possibility that they are now included in the propaganda of some political organizations responsible only for heightening and sharpening their temper but never looking for durable solutions in helping the victims go back to normalcy. In Barangay Mandulog, neighboring the river responsible for whooshing the people of Iligan to death was a family that lives under a tree. They managed to build a canopy out of the plastic sheet that was handed out to them by some disaster response organizations. Albeit a very commendable innovation comes a worry that they are still exposed to several vulnerabilities. Several families are also complaining about the very limited attention given to them. Travelling more than two hours from the center of Iligan, you will reach Barangay Rogongon still under the state of sinister. While approaching the place, you could see how Sendong further devastated the roads that were already problematic before the disaster. Electricity is still busted and the electric posts are leaning beside the roads. Rogongon was victimized by landslides and the storm left an enormous damage to agriculture. The people here are stretching their hands, not to give but to ask for help. It has been more than 50 days, the mud already turned into a convulsion of dusts. Sendong/

Washi claimed more than six hundred lives and more than five hundred still missing, leaving more than a hundred thousand individuals still in despair. The grass has grown round the survivors feet while the responsible authorities seem to utter lies through their teeth. Although there have been conscious efforts directed towards uplifting the lives of the survivors, a very important link between the IDPs and their development is missing. There was a lack in consulting what they want to happen to themselves in the process of rehabilitation and recovery. Given this, it is valid to infer that they were shut of their rights to voice out their needs and legitimate interests. It seems that the IDPs role is reduced only to the level of beneficiaries and is not regarded as partners in any development project. Consultation is a crucial element in the recovery process because the authorities could not assume what’s the best for the IDPs. Furthermore, the government is not at all times well-informed about the concerns of the survivors. A family that depends on fishing and farming worries about the place where they could be relocated. A driver whose license flowed with the gushing flood complains that he could not drive due to the fear to be caught by the traffic enforcers. He further recommended that there must be a certification from the city government to prove that he is, indeed, a victim of the flood. Aside from consultation, there was also failure to organize the survivors into a body that will represent them in the different clusters. This takes away their rights to information and voluntary decision. Organizing the IDPs must be done in the early stage of disaster response but this failure contributes widely to the apparent dissent and distrust that they now flaunt to the government. Radio commentators collected a huge amount of complaints that are directed against the city government. They vocally charge some officials with corruption. This, however, is an expected reaction because the failure to organize the IDPs just widened the gap between them and the government. So, more than fifty days had passed, and everything seemed stable in terms of disgust and distrust. The next days must focus to putting the survivors back into the limelight.

CHA LAVANDERO

Collective and not Divisive Pursuit for Justice

For more than a month after the catastrophic incident that took thousands of lives and displaces families particularly in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City, the people are now starting to rebuild their lives, trying to move forward for the future. The incident left an indelible mark on the lives of the people, which made them ponder on how and why this particular incident was even made possible in an area rarely visited by storms – a very general question seeking for answers, for the truth and for justice. Whatever options available to know the truth the government and other organizations acted to investigate the incident. The first theory they have in mind is that the logs that have swept along with the raging waters aggravated the intensity of the damages on the lives and on livelihoods. Believing and even convinced that this was the main cause, the government was prompted to do an investigation and in the process led them to the areas of Lanao del Sur. According to the investigation, the logging operations done in the watershed of Lanao del Sur were made possible through the Integrated Forest Plantation Management Agreement (IFMA), and that companies like Vicmar Development Corporation which is based in Makati, Timber Industries of the Philippines Incorporated are just a few to mention companies involved. Apparently, the actions of the government instrumentalities targeted logging operations most of them small time logging operators known as “carabao loggers” have prompted small time timber stores to close for fears because for the past few weeks, there had been series of raids in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Moreover, there had been Human Rights violation complaints concerning the raids led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The pursuit for justice for the victims of Sendong has been the clamor of everyone, of the government, of the different civil society organizations, and even among the common people that have been able to comprehend that all that is happening in our environment was because of our reckless intervention and misuse of the environment resources. And in

the process of seeking the truth, it seems that an important component has been left-out. What has transpired during the investigation resulted to the unwanted aggravation against the peoples of Lanao del Sur. The projection of the investigation should target the very main reason or the root cause of the problem. It is not the people of Lanao del Sur that is to be blamed, therefore there is no need for vindication on the part of the Bangsamoro Civil Society in refuting the accusations that Lanao del Sur is to be blamed for the destruction. Although it appears that they do not have options because the blame had been made popular in media in prints and in televisions. The main point is that we need to go beyond what is superficial. It is a grave error to generalize the blame to the peoples of Lanao del Sur but at the same time it is very important to expose the local politicians and warlords who made the entry of Markati based logging firms possible to these areas. Therefore, we need to look into the center of the problem and not only focus on the peripheries. The main issue is environmental destruction that can be made possible by logging and mining. What made this main issue a detrimental problem on the lives of the people that even its effect can already be speculated is the very system that protects and sustain the activities aggravating the destruction of our environment. Seeking for the truth and justice is a must and in the process of seeking for justice, we as peoples of Mindanao, of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte should not fall prey to the “blame game” scheme that could divert us to the real path to justice. Moreover, the irresponsible and misguided campaign and advocacies regarding the issue will further intensify the already very crucial relationships among the Muslims and Christians. The effort should not be limited only to one people; it is everybody else’s duty. Thus, we need to collectively work together in seeking for truth and justice since, the environmental destruction issue is not limited in the Lanao provinces only, it is all over Mindanao, all over the Philippines and it is globally shared concern. The typhoon Sendong tragedy gave us a lesson, a painful lesson that we need to think seriously with. It also gave us the venue to widen our comprehensions and our understanding. Moreover, it has rekindled the value of volunteerism among the peoples, the value of solidarity, thus in solidarity among other peoples’ we need to work together for justice to be served. Making this the venue for collective unity, and not a mechanism for division.

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VHONG FENIS

A Challenge to Move Forward

As the world faces economic and political crisis, threats of the ecological crisis are also intensifying. Disasters from one country to another mark the print and broadcast media. These disasters can be conventionally categorized as natural and human-made, but experts and common people said they are caused mainly by human activities by the few percentage of the world population which are the rich, the oligarchs, and their institutions. The people in Northern Mindanao (Iligan and Cagayan de Oro) and in some parts of the Visayas (Dumaguete City) region were surprised by typhoon Sendong (Washi) last December 16 and 17, 2012 resulting thousands deaths, thousands still missing, and billions of properties destruction that literally disfigured the communities. Countless helps poured in from international, national and local donors as well as from Non Government Organizations and government units. In most accounts as expressed by individuals of the whole communities affected the direct intervention of government units were not felt in the early and most needed stage. More complaints on the grounds, evacuation centers and communities of inefficiency and ineffectiveness response creating more problems and competitions among the survivors were recorded and observed. While Typhoon Sendong has brought so much destruction it can also be an opportunity for creating spaces for empowerment of the survivors in considering them as partners in rebuilding their lives and communities towards full recovery and development. The grandstanding of some local personalities, organizations and agencies which promote dole-out process and method that somehow builds dependency to survivors rather than help them rebuild their lives in a sustainable manner. While agencies from public and private are now busy discussing the early recovery and rehabilitation phases even without the participation of the survivors (of course with the exemption of the few), it is a question still of the consideration of the environment in its framework particularly the local government units. Indeed, survivors must live in dignity and fulfillment of their rights as human and this should be in the framework of ecological sustainability. Otherwise the future will always be uncertain. The national government has maximized the moment of tragedy to implement viable projects for the survivors though it is very contradictory to the existing Philippine Mining Act, which encourages the use of inorganic farm inputs, conversion of lands and issuances

of mining, logging and quarry permits and among other environmentally-destructive policies and programs. Where are we going to? There were movements on the ground to consolidate and organize the survivors in facilitating their key role in the whole process of recovery and rehabilitation towards total development. This is an opportunity for empowering the survivors and a need for them to unite and speak in one voice and action. Without the consolidated and unified action and agenda from the survivors themselves, moving for a realistic and clear solution to avoid disaster and manage it when it happens is far from reach. The support institutions should not act to replace the role of the government in fulfilling their duties. NGOs and private groups must always examine the role they played in these processes or else the government and its personnel and agencies are useless and unnecessary. This is not to question the spirit of helping one another but only to put things in proper perspective. As the duty bearer and institutions responsible for the masses and its people, the government must always have in mind the framework of its programs and services with the survivors. The recent experience of the people in Iligan City during the disaster was very revealing as to how the local government had reacted especially during the early stage of the calamity. An effective and sensitive governance can be gauged in this trying moments. The disaster management should not only be during the actual disaster but before it happens. Preparing the people before a disaster commences is very important because peoples’ preparedness to handle or manage a typhoon can save many lives. Proper management during the actual occurrence of disaster is also of equal importance. Its destruction can be aggravated further when people are confused and are in panic. But timely response and proper management of such disaster can be mitigated to save more lives. Furthermore, the management of the post disaster phase is of utmost importance because the people who survive the fury of a typhoon or a flood can still suffer if no proper management will be instituted to ensure food and other vital goods. The “picking up the pieces” and rebuilding stage of the survivors should be the most important consideration in full recovery and rehabilitation. In managing disaster and putting up of the early recovery and rehabilitation programs, the role of the survivors or the IDPs shall be decisive. No one can substitute for this role. The international NGOs, local NGOs, Pos and the LGUs can only help mitigate the situation of the survivors (IDPs). In disaster management and rehabilitation, the survivors/IDPs are the main partners.

OpinionFEATURE

Reclaiming Rights, Rebuilding Lives:

The Consultative IDP Forum in MSU-IIT

On January 26, 2012, the Ranao Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC) and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) – Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) launched a Consultative Forum on “Reclaiming Rights, Rebuilding Lives”: Focus on Sendong Survivors in Iligan at MSU-IIT Mini-Theater. Participants of the forum were IDP’s of Iligan, both from home based (HB) and the Evacuation Centers (EC). They were identified on by their fellow survivors during the simultaneous Iligan-wide Focus Group Discussions (FGD’s) in different communities and EC’s in the city. The areas were divided and handled by the sponsoring institutions mentioned above. The forum was jam-packed with inputs and updates with regards to IDP concerns. On the morning activity, “Rights of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s)” was shared by the field associate assigned in Mindanao, High Commissioner on Refugees of UNHCR – Mr. Cliff Alvarico. The CSWD representative Ms. Perlie Mantos - CSW, was also present at the forum and gave updates on how the agency took action after the disaster. Ms. Gemma Dalena, a representative of UNDP lectured on the “UNDP’s View of the Problem and Probable Solutions (Durable Solutions for IDP’s)”. On the Camp Coordination Committee Management (CCCM) update, the over-all chairman Hon. Freddie Siao, informed how the management of the EC have been managed by the local government, the help of International and Local NGO’s was then acknowledged during the forum proper. Other personnel’s of the local government of Iligan who graced the event was Mr. Arthur Aloro – updates on housing, the city plan on permanent relocation, resettlement of the survivors was announced on the forum through presenting illustration on the two relocations in Sta. Elena and Barangay Mandulog, Iligan City. Lastly, presentation on the consultative forum was the Head on Economic Enterprise Iligan, former city councilor – Mr. Orlando Maglinao – on the updates on the city plan in clustering the different functions

in the government agencies participating

in helping the survivors. A structure that shall be followed if approved by the City Mayor that the presentations on the forum will be relayed and shall be presented to the city Mayor for approval. In general, the forum’s objectives were to hear and heed the voices of the IDP’s, for them to be involve in all activities concerning them (from identifying their needs and to the durable solutions to them up to their relocations and/or resettlement plan). To form an ad-hoc that shall serve as a representative of the survivors for any up-coming meetings and events vis-à-vis to their needs and concerns. Other than the objectives, the event was venue for the consolidation of the results FGD’s and for the body to agree collectively on the reports especially on identifying IDP’s needs. The forum was a success indeed, attended by more than one hundred individuals coming from different institutions and (International and Local) organizations present in Iligan, the survivors from HB’s and EC’s and personnel’s of Local Government. Sendong survivors appreciated the efforts of RDRRAC and MSU-IIT (headed by Prof. Darwin Manubag) in facilitating this gathering and “HEAR their VOICES!” And in the end, survivors were not merely victims but partners in the true sense of the word.

ARTICLE

Khye Amerol

Survivors validate their needs during the workshop in the consultative forum.

FEATURE Article

Looking into DUYOG ILIGAN Relief Team

Approaching two months since the onset of the disaster – DUYOG ILIGAN Relief and Distribution Team has already handed out thousands of relief goods reaching to the devastated barangays in Iligan City. Headed by Mr. Jun Tardo, the team started its relief distribution since December 23, 2011. They carry with them their firm conviction to serve the much devastated communities by adopting the Do No Harm approach. During an interview with him, he said,” Put it plainly, we only want to ensure that there would be no conflict and chaos during the conduct of the distribution.” And because of this, this team had installed guidelines and policies prior and during their relief activities. “Basically, what we do is to validate the data in order to identify the beneficiaries. There were also cases where we limited and prioritized the beneficiaries. In instances like this, we don’t distribute in the community but locate a safer place so to avoid aggressive reactions from the people”, he added. Data validation is deemed a very rigorous task for the team which is conducted days prior to the conduct of relief operations. They went to all Purok

leaders to ask the families that were affected by the deluge. As soon as the lists were gathered some members of the team would start to word process the names and would individually put these names in a claim stab. Thereafter, the claim stabs were given back to the Purok leaders who would distribute them to the identified affected families. In the actual distribution, the beneficiaries were asked to sign in the list prepared by the team in the registration section. They were also tasked to return their claim stabs before proceeding to the station where they would receive the relief goods. Marshals were also there to secure the orderliness of relief distribution. This was a considerably very meticulous procedure but in the name of installing peace and safety they were to religiously install this system in the distribution. Matter-of-factly, during the team’s relief operation in Barangay Mandulog, they garnered all impressive compliments due to this smooth and orderly method. However, there were inevitable cases where some affected families could not receive the goods they deserve out of the failure to have them included in the list. Out of pity and duty, DUYOG ILIGAN relief and distribution team were true to their promise to return and to hand out goods to them after going through the process which had been left out.

“One thing I learned from this work is patience. It is not easy to work and serve the people who have emotional and psychological baggages with them”, contended by Mr. Aldren Manisan, one of the volunteers. There were also skills that sprang in the process. Some volunteers showed leadership quality that they didn’t quite expect they possess. Mr. Tardo was also quick to point out that there were also volunteers who developed wits in confronting officials. The volunteers were also very organized and had a sharp eye on their tasks. Mr. Tardo further added that the volunteers always come up with good outputs in every task they perform. This kind of discovery had been realized during the assessment which we line every relief operation and the planning for the next operation. So far, DUYOG ILIGAN has already distributed relief goods to more than 6,000 households all over the city. As goods and donations still keep on flooding in, it is expected that they will still reach several affected communities.

RJ Neyra

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FEATURE Article

Reaping the Worst of Ecological Disaster

Khye Amerol

Around the globe, there has been a growing concern to intensify the struggle for climate justice. However this significant growth still is insufficient to counter the dominant culture of neglect and denial. Even the large volumes of reliable scientific researches cannot amplify the fact that the earth, more than ever before, is being heavily punctuated by this kind of cataclysm. Quite recently, a 9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit Japan and left more than 15,000 fatalities. There was not only a unified pity shown in this calamity but also of fear due to the radiation leaks from the nuclear plants. A year earlier, over a hundred thousand lives in Haiti were claimed due to the same disaster. Aside from this, several countries also suffered from severe typhoons, flooding, landslides, harsh winter, and forest fires. So what is there to deny given all these realities? An article written by J.B. Foster exposes the harmful implications of the further rise of the global temperature. When it rises by 2 °C, people will hardly prevent and survive from the fang of climate change. Even ceasing to burn fossil fuels upon reaching this temperature climate change along its lethal effects would still be felt in the year 3000. By sum, this is very crucial because it constitutes a point of no return. Albeit the entire humanity was pointed culprits to this feared phenomenon, many were resolved that climate change was further exacerbated by the brute force and greed of capitalism. In fact, the overwhelming rise of temperature extends back from the Industrial Revolution, that is, during the time when capitalism was gaining weight and popularity. This profit-oriented system’s insatiable thirst for resources has become the major reason for the crisis in ecology as it sweeps every raw material above the earth’s surface and even launches an extravagant expedition below it. This ruthless extraction, consistent with its appetite to overproduce, is even intensified by creating faux necessities to individuals and further heightens environmental abuse. Despite this doom, however, rich and powerful countries continue to display a blind eye. The USA which is known to be the largest emitter of green house gases has still not acted to address the problem. In fact, it has denied to sign the Kyoto Protocol which was aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to fight

global warming. Countries such as Japan, Russia, and Canada are now also opposed to extend Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. Third world countries suffer more the effects of climate change. Philippines, particularly, is continuously hit by super typhoons and other disasters. Despite all these, capitalist incursions continue to ravage the country. Baguio, marked as one of the tourist centers of the country is much devastated by mining. Palawan with all its beauty and bounty starts to be dirtied by the same activity. But the people’s overwhelming opposition cannot terrorize mining exploration and opposition as it is backed up by a seemingly indestructible policy – the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Mindanao was not also immuned as far as these harsh activities are concerned since it also subject to quarrying as well as mining and logging concessions. Majority of lands in the Compostela Valley are now declared uninhabitable due to mining. Evident to this is the landslide occurring at the start of 2012 that killed 25 people and more than 150 missing. Midsalip Mountain Range situated at the heart of Zamboanga and marked as a key biodiversity area of the country is now being wrecked by mining. Certainly, Sendong didn’t only leave a huge scar to all of us. Its massive and dramatic deaths should not only be included in the statistics of mortality. Is should remind us of a more upgraded occurrences disasters to come. Everyone should now act before we reach the point of no return and that is if we are not yet there. . .

Duyog iligan Relief and Distribution Team validates the list of survivors for Barangay Lanipao.

Photo by: P. Fenis

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UPDATES

IDPs nanguna sa pagpahigayon sa konsultasyonM.L. MANDAR

Pebrero 6, 2012 sa mga 10:00 sa buntag, gipahigayon ang pinakaunang konsultasyon tali sa mga bakwit ug local nga gobyerno sa Siyudad sa Iligan sukad nga nahitabo ang dakong baha dala sa Bagyong Sendong. Gipangunahan kini sa mga bakwit nga anaa nagpuyo sa sulod sa Luinab Elementary School nga gikan sa Upper Hinaplanon ug kadtong mga apektadong pamilya nga padayong nagpuyo sa ilang mga panimalay sa nasangpit nga lugar. Anaa usab ang representante gikan sa opisina sa mayor sa Iligan nga si Ms. Agnes Maingat kauban ang City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD)-District 5 nga si Ms. Delia Padro. Ang katuyuan sa konsultasyon mao ang paghatag og impormasyon sa mga apektadong katawhan sa Upper Hinaplanon ilabib na sa mga naanod ang mga balay sa mamahimong

dagan sa ilang pagbalhin og puluy-anan gikan sa sulod sa mga lugar bakwitanan o evacuation center. Dugang pa niini, ang konsultasyon nagtinguha nga ma-final ang listahan sa partially damaged ug totally damaged nga puluy-anan. Matod pa ni Ms. Agnes Maingat, “wala pa gayud pinal nga guidelines para sa shelter assistance ug kini kamulo pang ginapanday sa City Government tungod kay ang gihatag nga guidelines sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) dili haom sa sitwasyon sa mga benepisyaryo diri sa lokal. Ang guidelines pagahimuon sa Iligan City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) ug City Governmennt… bisan paman walay pinal nga guidelines aduna nay nalatid nga mga pasiuna nga giya para sa pagpili sa mga kwalipikado nga benepisyaryo.”

Kinsa ang prayoridad nga makadawat sa shelter assistance o mabalhin sa relokasyon?

Ingon si Ms. Maingat nga ang mga katawhan nga nakasulod sa mga sumusunod nga order of priority mao maunang mahatagan og pagtagad sa relokasyon:

1.) Pamilya nga anaa nagpuyo sa nga gi-deklara sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) nga “danger zone”. Sa pagkakaron, tulo (3) pa lamang ka barangay ang gisusi sa MGB, mao ang Brgy. Santiago, Santa Filomena ug Hinaplanon.

2.) Pamilya nga naguyo sa “no build zone” o katong lugar nga dili gayud tugutan sa gobyerno nga patindugan og mga building o balay tungod sa risgo. Lakip ani nga mga lugar mao ang ilalom sa tulay, daplin sa suba ug daplin sa dagat.

3.) Pamilya nga adunay totally damaged nga balay nga anaa nahimutang sa safe-zones (luwas sa disgrasya nga lugar)

4.) Pamilya nga nawadan o namatayan og myembro.

Dugang pa, ang mga pamilya nga totally washed out, naa sa danger zone ug no build zones ang mga balay, adunay kagawasan nga dili mopuyo sa relokasyon basta adunay kabalhinan nga luna nga layo sa risgo o sa unsa mang natural nga katalagman ug sila adunay madawat nga “financial assistance” para sa pagtukod sa ilang mga balay. Ang totally washed out nga naa sa safe zones makadawat og hinabang nga 50,000 pesos ug 60,000 para sa kadtong pamilya nga nagpuyo sa daplin sa suba ug dagat , ug mga lugar nga gideklara nga no build zones ug danger zones.

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IDPs mobilize for representationMatet Norbe

In pursuing the participatory and consultative humanitarian response to Sendong survivors and Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs), the interim group from the IDP Consultative Forum held last January 26, 2012 gathered at the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the Mindanao State University-IIT to discuss the need for representation in the decision-making processes with regards to planning and implementation of early recovery and rehabilitation programs of both government and non government agencies. The small group is composed of eleven representatives coming from seven urban as well as coastal areas identified to temporarily lead the formation of an IDP advocacy group which they decided to call Iligan Survivors Movement (ISM) which will be composed of all IDPs in Iligan City. The movement will particularly aim to lobby for representation in the Humanitarian Response Clusters led by the government with partnership from United Nations organizations as well as non-government organizations. These are the clusters of (1) Camp Coordination and Camp Management, (2) Shelter, (3) Livelihood, (4) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene or WASH, and (5) Women and Child Protection. The formation of the Iligan Survivors Movement was brought about by the findings of the IDP Consultative Forum which saw the imbalanced distribution of relief and assistance where most home-based survivors were left out; the outpour of relief and assistance from non-government organizations and international non-government organizations vis-a-vis that of local government support; information gap between the government

and the IDPs on shelter and relocation issues as well as other top-level decisions that led to IDPs defining themselves as just but victims who only receive relief and assistance without considering also their voices in the decision-making regarding their present as well as future needs. Ma. Gittel Saquilabon of the Duyog Iligan: Tri-People Solidarity for Sendong Survivors of the Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC), one of the agencies facilitating the empowerment of Sendong IDPs in the city shared that the organization together with the MSU-IIT Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and the College of Art and Social Sciences is glad that finally the IDPs have started organizing themselves to push for and assert their agenda with the proper decision-making bodies so that they themselves can have a voice and participation in their early recovery and rehabilitation, stages in rebuilding their lives.

John Montilla (tuo nga bahin) myembro sa Iligan Survivors Movement nangutana kabahin sa Relokasyon nga isyu.

Interim group of Iligan Sendong survivors discussing future representation and participation

Updates

DA Sec Addresses Food-related

Disaster Woes

Matet Norbe

Secretary Prospero J. Alcala together with the Regional Director and local government officials met with the Alliance of Sustainable Agriculture Practitioners (ASAP), a convergence of Non-Government Organizations and Peoples Organizations in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, and Misamis Occidental on February 2, 2011 at the MSU-IIT Cooperative function hall. They discussed the possible engagement with the Department of Agriculture in the implementation of the Rehabilitation Program to Sendong (Washi)-affected agricultural sector in hinterlands and coastal areas of Iligan City. ASAP presented their identified subjects for future engagements like farm tools and equipment assistance; technology assistance in diversified integrated farming system, post-harvest handling technology and marketing; farm inputs; livestock and poultry replacement; aqua- fisheries support; comprehensive agro-forestry and watershed management; and clearing and repair of access roads to sixteen agricultural areas in the hinterlands as well as in the coastal areas. These areas include but not limited to the barangays of Mandulog, Lanipao, Dulag, Panoroganan, Kalilangan, Mainit, Rogongon, Digkilaan, Bonbonon, Tipanoy, Abuno, Pugaan, Santiago, Hinaplanon, Sta. Felomina, and Tambacan. ASAP members already initiated immediate response to the needs of the farmers in some of these areas but

financial constraints limited the group’s

intervention.As a response, the Secretary assured his department’s support and cooperation in bringing about rehabilitation mechanisms to ensure the early as well as sustainable recovery of the city’s agricultural areas and sectors. A public-private-CSO partnership is on the wrap with a planning meeting which will be held on February 3, 2011 with the Department of Agriculture and ASAP. Meanwhile, the Secretary urged the civil society organizations to continue being the watchdogs on logging, mining, and other environmentally-destructive activities for the mitigation of climate change. The forum on agriculture rehabilitation plan was mainly facilitated by the Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. with the support of other ASAP members Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC, Inc.), Sumpay Mindanao, Inc. ,Panaghugpong sa mga Mag-uuma ug Kabus sa Kabanikanhan alang sa Kausaban, Inc.(PASAKA), Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog sa Pilipinas (KAMMPIL), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Federation of Misamis Occidental (CAFEMO), Barangay Inagongan Farmers Association (BIFA), Iligan City Agri-Fisheries Council (ICAFC), Social Action Center (Iligan), Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA), and Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, Inc. (ECOWEB).

More than a month after Typhoon Sendong (Washi) hit the city, the Philippine Department of Agriculture finally addresses the plight of farmers and fisherfolks whose primary source

of livelihood was gravely-devastated by the calamity.

14

Dahil sa napahiwatig na pangangailangan sa serbisyong psychosocial para sa mga biktima ng Bagyong Sendong ay nagkaroon ng isang Psychosocial Training na ginanap sa Cooperative Union of Iligan City Training Center, IISHAI, Suarez, Iligan City noong Enero 20-22, 2012.

Ang nasabing okasyon ay naging matagumpay sa pagtutulungan ng tatlong grupo, ang University of Santo Tomas – Graduate School Psychotrauma Clinic (UST-GPC), Religions for Peace at Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC), Inc. Mahigit pitumpu (70) ang dumalo sa nasabing pagsasanay na nagmula pa sa iba’t ibang lugar ng Iligan City at lalawigan ng Lanao del Norte. Ang layunin nito ay upang matulungan ang mga partisipante na matuto tungkol sa wastong proseso ng psychosocial debriefing. Ayon sa mga lektyurer na sina Ms. Amor Mia H. Arandia, Mr. Rodel P. Canlas, at Ms. Maria Kristina S. Alfonso ay dalawa lang ang kailangan na matutunan ng mga partisipante, ito ang tungkol sa Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) at Psychological First Aid (PFA). Ang CISD ay isang proseso upang

mahadlangan o mapahina an gang paglubha ng

PSYCHOTRAUMA TRAININGOmar Hadjisoco

Post-Traumatic Stress ng mga taong mula sa lubhang hindi kanais-nais na kaganapan. Ito ay nakakatulong sa pag-cope with o pag-recover mula sa epekto ng kanilang karanasan. Ang CISD ay nakakatulong din upang ipaintindi at mapabatid na hindi sila nag-iisa at sila ay mabigyan ng espasyo at pagkakataon na maibahagi ang kanilang iniisip o naramdaman sa loob ng isang kontrolado o ligtas na lugar. Samantalang ang PFA naman ay ang pagbabahagi ng tulong at kaginhawaan sa biktima, pagtulong upang maging bahagi ang pamilya sa pagtrotekta mula sa mga maari pang dumating na panganib, at iba pa. Pagkatapos ng mahabang talakayan ay nagkaroon ng mga pagsasanay, na siyang nagbigay sa mga lumahok ng ideya kung paano isagawa ang CISD at PFA. Unang hakbang ng mga lektyurer ay pinaupo ang mga partispante ng maayos at matuwid, nagkaroon ng meditation session na kung saan ito ay nakakapagparelaks na siyang magbibigay ginhaha sa kanilang isipan at katawan para maisagawa ng maayos ang kanilang CISD at PFA. Matapos ang lahat ay sinimulan ang pagtatanong na siyang pinangunahan ng mga lektyurer para makita at masaksihan kung paano isinasagawa ang CISD at PFA. Ang mga katanungan ay madali lang, bumabasi lamang ito sa mga nakita at nasaksihan nung mangyari ang delubyo. Para mas maintindihan at magkaroon ng karanasan sa pagsagawa ng CISD at PFA ay pumili ang mga facilitator ng labinlimang (15) partisipante na siyang magsasagawa ng initial CISD at PFA sa mga nabiktima ng Typhoon Sendong. Ang lugar na pinuntahan na kung saan magsasagawa ng hands-on CISD at PFA sa Barangay Tubod isa sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Sendong.

15

Sec. Alcala emphasizing DA-CSO partnership in agricultural rehabilitation plan for Sendong-hit agri areas

Pagsasanay ng mga partisipante na lumahok sa Psychosocial Training.

Updates

Humanitarian Organizations at Work: Intensifying Iligan Relief Assistance

Matet Norbe

While it’s been almost two months since typhoon Sendong devastated most of the communities in Iligan City and many of the survivors have now returned to their homes from evacuation centers, relief and assistance continues as Duyog Iligan: Tri-People Solidarity for Sendong Survivors volunteers deliver food as well as non-food items to various affected villages. Partnering with the Humanitarian Resource Consortium (HRC), Plan International, Save the Children, Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestics and Service Workers (CLADS), the Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC) reached out to affected residents of Iligan City. Following the home-based distribution in Brgy. Tibanga, Brgy. Ubaldo Laya and Brgy. Bagong Silang on January 17, 2011, the relief and distribution team reached out to two (2) evacuation centers and eight (8) communities which have a total of one thousand three hundred fourteen (1,314) evacuation center-based as well as home-based households from January 23, 2011 to February 5, 2012.

Evacuation Centers The Laville Evacuation Center in Brgy. Tubod, with 54 families, is the adopted evacuation camp of the RDRRAC-Duyog Iligan since December 26, 2011; catering to the needs of the evacuees by engaging them as partners in putting up mechanisms of camp management. These mechanisms ensure proper delivery of relief goods and

services by various donors. Through the partnership with the Humanitarian Resource Consortium (HRC), Plan International, Save the Children, Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestics and Service Workers (CLADS), the relief and distribution team was able to deliver one hundred ten (110) packs consisting of hygiene kit, flashlight, malong, bath and detergent soaps, bathing and cooking materials on January 23, 2012. Meanwhile, forty-eight (48) households catered at the Ubaldo Laya evacuation center were given sleeping mat, blanket and mosquito nets from the Integrated Pastoral Development Initiative (IPDI); flash lights, malong, bath soap and laundry soap from Plan International.

Home-Based Most of the served Internally-Displaced Persons were home-based in their communities or those who have returned from evacuation centers to start rebuilding their lives since the typhoon hit the city. Since most of the relief operations focused primarily in the evacuation areas, the RDRRAC-Duyog Iligan decided to address also the staggering needs of the home-based survivors as well. A total of one hundred and three (103) households in Purok Manuang, Ubaldo Laya; seven hundred seventy-eight (778) households in Purok 1,

Purok Orchids, Purok 2-A, Purok 2-B, and Purok 4-A of Brgy. Santiago; one hundred ninety-seven (197) households in Brgy. Mahayahay and seventy-eight (78) households in Purok Orchids, Brgy. Santiago. Pursuing a rights-based approach in relief and rehabilitation assistance, the Ranaw Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC) through its Duyog Iligan campaign continues to gain support and partnership from humanitarian organizations as well as the local government unit to ensure proper distribution of goods and services to the affected communities.

16

Updates

17

Updates

Tambacan Barangay Officials walked out during the consultationIrish Pasco

Barangay Officials of Tambacan, Iligan City, headed by Hon Celso Ponce with his 7 active council members conducted an expanded special session in Tambacan Elementary School Gymnasium last February 8, 2012. The said session is specially participated with 78 in house Internally displaced families, Emmie Collado from CSWD, one representative from HRO and a faculty from the school. The session was for the purpose of consulting the Internally displaced families regarding the newly approved Barangay Resolution.

Barangay Resolution The barangay resolution is to relocate and or transfer the in house families of the Tambacan Elementary School ground to Purok 4A excluding the renter and the sharer. According to the Barangay officials, this resolution will enable the construction of temporary shelter with the help of Gawad Kalinga in Purok 4A at Mac Michael lot with a total land area of 1,700 square meter which is near to the sea shore. Accordingly, barangay officials will install water, electricity, temporary kitchen and fence the area to safe guard the IDPs. The resolution underwent a productive debate among the council members. Two out seven members of the council prefer not to vote for its creation. For the two council member, they feared that the IDP’s could not avail the daily supply of food from the CSWD and the obviously barangay has no longer fund to sustain the IDPs as it already spent its calamity fund. Secondly, the proposed site is near the seashore which is somehow not too safe. But majority of the barangay council members considered that the presence of the IDP’s in the school hampers the peaceful environment of the students. The playgrounds are being converted into temporary shelter. The principal also reported to the barangay officials that Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) are messing around, engaged into gambling which he considers as not a good example for the students and the untimely removal of smelly portalets is disturbing for them. Further, the graduation is approaching and they demand for huge space for student’s rehearsal.

IDP’s/Survivors Stance The evacuation center is managed by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) who usually attend to the survivors in the

camp 12 to 24 hours a day. While the barangay officials seldom showed themselves to the area nor support the immediate needs of survivors. The remaining in 78 house families is composed of owners and renters/sharer. Musa, a member of Iligan Survivors Movement and the Purok 2B leader of the same barangay, who also help the management of the camp said, “we maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings, and avoid any unruly behavior because we are inside the school.” And he strongly refused to admit the accusation of the teachers. He added, “We will not transfer to the area the barangay officials are suggesting because it is not yet assessed by the right agency whether it is safe zone or not. Some of the IDPs who used to live in the riverbanks have still trauma of what happened to them during the Typhoon. By doing so, it is like they are exposing us to risk once again.” The consultation paves the way for the survivors to organize and unite themselves in the name of their plight. Their belief that they can be relocated to a safer place push them to stand and defend their rights. The approved barangay resolution without prior consultation is a culpable violation of their rights as IPD which is stipulated in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID), ”IDPs have the right to full participation and planning and management of their return, resettlement and reintegration”. Thus, as IDPs altogether clapped their hands, they unanimously agreed not to transfer nor to be relocated to the proposed site of the barangay officials.

A glimpse of Exchanges and Learnings The exchanges of the barangay officials and the survivors did not go well as expected. For the survivors, it did not give a chance for them to be heard as well as them giving a choice to plan for their future. The hasty passage of the resolution was due to a copy of minutes of the meeting they believed to come from the Housing and Resettlement Office (HRO). The brangay officials were in a dilemma upon seeing that affected families of their barangay were not among the top priority who could be relocated to the relocation site in Santa Elena. However, this copy of minutes was later found out not from the HRO but from the meeting of the Shelter Cluster that destroyed the argument and the urgency of the resolution of the barangay council. Emilia Collado, the CSWD in charged in Tambacan Evacuation Center, contradicted further the argument of the barangay officials when she gave her explanation on the issue. She said that the in-house or those families living inside the evacuation camp could still be accommodated in Sta. Elena because the estimated number of houses to be built in such relocation site is greater than the number of families staying inside the evacuation center at the present time. One of the unforgettable line belted out by Brgy. Captain Ponce,“ we are not forcing you, but if you don’t transfer to our proposed relocation site, the barangay will no longer help you. Mrs. Collado will take charge of your relocation.” After that being ignored by the people, barangay officials amended the resolution that the barangay will no longer attend to the needs of the evacuees and after that they walked out. As the barangay captain with five (5) council members walked out in the middle of the consultation having not gain the popular vote on their imposed resolution, signifies the beginning that the government officials should try to listen the voice of their constituents.

Relief distribution Team represented by Jocelyn Bungcal (center) reviews documents for distribution.

Barangay Chairman Celso Ponce of Brgy. Tambacan is showing the Council resolution to the IDPs.

Updates

18

CAMP MANAGEMENT SA LAVILLE GYMNASIUM

Omar Hadjisocor

Ang city government ay nagpatawag ng konsultasyon ng mga local NGOs, International NGOs at ibat-ibang agencies. Ang agenda ng nangyaring pagpupulong ay tungkol sa “Adopt a Camp” at ipalawak at magbuo ng Camp Management, ito ay tatawaging Camp Coordination and Camp Management Committee (CCCM) for Disaster Response na pinamunuan ni City Councilor Frederick Siao. Sa pamamagitan ng Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center, Incorporated o RDRRAC ay nagdeklara noong ika-disyembre

ng 26, 2011 na sila ang mangangasiwa sa mga evacuees ng Mangga Elementary School na ngayon ay nasa Laville Gymnasium. Sa simula ay hindi naging malinaw kung ano talaga ang “Adopt a Camp”, hindi na nagkaroon ng pagkakaisa sa ibig sabihin nito. Kapag sinabing adopt dapat naka-pokus ang isang agency sa napiling camp, na dapat tutok ka sa pangangasiwa sa evacuation center, pero sa napansin ng RDRRAC ay sila lang ang totally focus sa nasabing camp. At sa camp area naman ay ang RDRRAC mismo ang nakikitang lutang na lutang sa pangangasiwa ng camp kumbaga siya ang utak ng lahat. Ang Camp Management ay binubuo ng istruktura na kabilang dito ang RDRRAC, CSWD Staff at ang DSWD Camp Manager. Sa simula’t simula ang RDRRAC ang naging tulay upang matulungan ang mga CSWD staff na mamahala sa evacuation center. Sila din ang nanguna sa pag-proseso ng mga papeles na kinakailangang matapos dahil sa mga pangangailangan ng mga biktima ng sendong, ang mga nasabing kailangan na ma-proseso ay ang pagkumpuni ng mga cubicle rooms para sa mga biktima, water supply para sa kanilang inumin, portalets (Portable Toilets) para sa urinary concern and waste disposal, pagkain para sa pang-araw-araw, at iba pa. Ang RDRRAC din ang naging dahilan para makipag-coordinate sa BLGU, at sa iba pang agency para mapadali ang pag-responde sa mga biktima ng Barangay Tubod. Nakita din ang mga naging improvements ng Laville Gym na siyang nakapagpasaya sa mga biktima, andiyan ang nabuong kitchen area, portalets, paliguan at child friendly space para sa mga bata. Ayon na rin sa sinabi ng CSWD staff na si Ms. Annalou Barrientos ay kung hindi daw sa RDRRAC hindi rin maganda ang takbo ng camp, at dahil sa RDRRAC daw ay mas naging madali ang mga proseso sa mga kinakailangan na mga papeles. Hindi rin magiging madali ang trabaho ng mga RDRRAC Staff kung wala diyan ang presence ng mga CSWD Staff and Voluteers, bagama’t sa pag-intake lang at profiling sila nakatutok ay malaki na rin ang tulong nila, sila ang 24/7 na nakatutok sa mga biktima at habang mahimbing na natutulog ang mga evacuees, sila ay nakadilat ang mga mata upang masiguro ang security ng bawat-isa. Mayroon din mga naging gaps ang camp management isa na dito ang limitadong koneksyon ng CSWD Staff sa kanilang district supervisor na siyang hindi maganda dahil hindi nakakarating sa tamang opsiyal ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng camp management. Halimbawa narin dito ang mga konting conflict sa pagitan ng mga evacuees, ngunit madali rin naman itong masolusyunan ng camp management. Ang naging papel din ng mga evacuees ay naging madali lang dahil narin sa kanilang kooperasyon at respeto. Naging madali ang pangangasiwa sa camp dahil sa simula pa lang naitinakda na ang mga patakaran sa camp. Isa lang ang nakikita ng RDRRAC sa mga biktima kailangan nila ang suporta ng mga emergency responders, volunteers at mga NGOs na matulungan sila. Lalo na’t kailangan nila ng relocation site, livelihood, at pagkain. Lahat ng mga biktima ng Sendong ay kitang-kita naman na kailangan nila ng kalinga ng isang kamay, na tapat at handang tumulong sa kanila.

19

Conversations with Some Survivors in MandulogChing Borres

WhilewaitingforthestartoftheGroundBreakingCeremonyof KAPUSO Village in Barangay Mandulog, DUYOG ILIGAN teammanagedtoengageintofewdialoguestotworesidentsandsurvivorsoftheflood.Theysharedallthehardshipstheyhadbeenthroughinordertosurvivefromthedelugewhichtheythoughtcouldhavekilledthem. Belowistheirownshareofthestory.

CouncilorSangkayMaruhomofBarangayMandulog,IliganCity OnthenightofDecember16,2011at11:00intheevening,heheardaveryunusualnoisefromtheriverliketherewassomekindofstonecrashing.Becausetheirhousewaslocatedneartheriver,hewentoutsidetocheck.Anduponseeingthewaterlevel,ithadrisenveryfastandoverflowed to the ground. In just amatter ofminutes thewaterlevelhadreachedkneedeep.Heimmediatelydecidedtogooutsidethehousetocheckonhismother’shousebuthestruggledtogooutsideforthe reason that thedoorwasbeingpushedbackby thestrongwatercurrentthatalreadygotinsidethehouse.Whathedidwastopushhardthedoorinordertogetout. As he approached his mother’s house he noticed that thewater levelwasalreadyonhiship ina spanofaminute. Right thenandtheretheydecidedtovacatetheareatogetherwiththeirneighborscrossingtotheoppositesideoftheriverpassingthroughthebridge.Alargevolumeofwaterslappedthebridgebuttheywereabletomanageto reach theothersideof the riverwithmore than20other families.Theyallstayedinaconcretehousehardlybelievingtheywerestillalive. Onthefollowingday,atthecrackofdawn,theywereterrifiedupon seeing that the entire houses of Purok 2 and Purok 17 had allvanished.TheonlystructurethatwasleftwastheirMosque.

What do you think is the cause of the flood? Therewasahugebuhawibecausethewater fromtheriverspilledouttomorethan200metersfromtheriverbanks.

What was the barangay’s response to the tragedy? We conducted an emergencymeeting andmade initiativesbecausetherewerenoassistancegiventotheareaforthrreedays.Thecouncilhaddecidedtoborrow30sacksofricefromBigasanfromourwomenorganization. WetriedtoseekassistancefromDSWDbutwewereunhappyoftheirsystem.Theywouldnotreleasegoodswithoutrecommendationsfrom the area coordinator ofDistrict 5whereMandulog is a part of.In sum, there were more assistance coming from different NGOs,UN organizations, and private institutions than from our own localgovernment.

Were the needs of IDPs answered? Atpresent,theIDPsreallyneedfood,clothing,andsheltertofamilieswithtotallydamagedhousesandthesewerenotfullyansweredyet.Mostofthefarmswereseverelydamaged;wecannotplowbecauseofthedebris.Theseneedtobeclearedfirst.Mostofthefarmanimalsalsodied.Asofnowwereallyneedalivelihoodandfarmtoolsaswellasworkinganimals. What were the lessons learned from the tragedy? TherewasnoDisasterDrillconducted inthearea.Weneedtraining on survival and first aid for the people to be prepared. Wewishtohavetheriverdredgeandifpossiblethegovernmentmusttakeactionsagainstreleasingofpermitstosandquarrying.Itisveryrampantinthearea We realized that it is not suitable to build houses near the

river. Aside from that, we will encourage our brothers and sisters tostopcuttingtreesbecauseitisoneofthemajorcausesofdestruction.SomepeoplepassedtheblametotheCreator.Forme,ourCreatorlovesus forheprovidedall the resourcesandassigned the responsibility tohumanbeingstotakecareofthem.Butwemismanagedandabusedourenvironment.

How cooperative and supportive are the community if some organizations will provide assistance? Wewelcomeandarewillingtocooperateinanyactivitiesthatwillbenefitourpeople.Weareallthankfulforanyopportunitytohelpusinrebuildingourlives.

Dialogue with Mrs. Loida Koka Loida Koka, 44 years of age, is also a survivor of TyphoonSendong and a resident of Purok 13, Barangay Mandulog, IliganCity. During the interview Loida cried as she shared their terrifyingexperience. OntheafternoonofDecember16,2011uponhearingaboutthenewsthatSendongwillhitMindanao,theyhadnoticedthechangeinweather.Ataround12:00midnight,hersonsawthewaterhadreachedatkneelevelandgotintothehouse.Shewasreluctanttoleavethehousebecauseshewasworriedaboutthesafetyoftheiranimals. Herhusband forcedher to leavebecause the levelofwateralreadyrisentotheirhips.Thattimesheisalreadyconvincedthattheiranimalswerealreadydead.Shedecidedtoleaveandmanagedtoinformtheirneighborstovacatethearea.Theyusedtheirairbedtotransportthe children to a safer place and she carried along with her theirimportantdocumentsbutforgottobringtheirmoneytheygainedfromsellingflowers.Theydidnotexpectittohappenthatfastandtodestroyalltheirbelongings,leavingthemnothingbutashadowofdevastation.

How did the tragedy affect you? I am troubled and saddened of the devastation that tookawayourbelongings,ourlivelihoodwhichisflowerfarm,andkilledouranimals (cow,goatandchicken). I cannotaccept the fact that in thatinstanteverythingwehaveinvestedforsomanyyearswaswipedoutbytheflood.ButdespiteofitallIamstillthankfulbecauseweareallalive. IhavenoticedthatIhaveirregularbowelmovementsduetotension.Everytimethereisrain,whetherlightorheavy,Ihaveanuneasyfeeling.Afterthefloodmysondecidedtostopfromgoingbackschool.HehadwitnessedhowthefloodwipedoutourlivelihoodbutIdidnotallowhimtostop,ItoldhimwewillfindwayswithGod’shelp.

What do you think is the cause of the flood? Ithinkitwastheactofnature,theloadsoflogsthatswepttheareacamefromtheforest;weevensawamonkeyontopofthelogs.It isundeniablethatthosecamefromtheforest.Anothercause isthepresenceofsandquarryandcrasher.

What have you learned from the tragedy? Weshouldbemoreawareandwatchfuleverytimethere istyphoon.Wedidnotanticipateitwillhappenbecauseourhouseisfarfromtheriverbutthefloodstillreachedourarea.

What are your other needs? School supplies for children and livelihood for every familysowecanstartrebuildingour lives.Wecannotdependalwaysontheexternalhelpandaids.Wewouldalsowelcomeskillstrainingandtrainingrelatedtoecology.Weappealtothedonorsandtothegovernmenttoprovideuslivelihoodassistance.

How cooperative and supportive is your community will be if some organizations will provide assistance? Wewill support any initiatives as long as itwill benefit theaffectedpeople.

Boboy, RDRRAC Camp Manager is meeting the IDP leaders of Laville Gymnasium.

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Testimonials

Butch Unang sabak kopa lang, alam ko hindibiro ang aking gagawinngunitdipa rinmaalis saisipan ko ang pangambana baka magka-epidemyasa lugar ng Iligan Citynandoonangtakotnabakadawmagkasakit omahawasa ibang nagkakasakit.Ngayun nandito na ako,masarappalana tumulonglalong-lalo na sa mganakaligtas sa hagupit ngbagyong Sendong. Tuwingkami ay nagre-repackpara ipamahaging tulongsa nabiktima, talagangsobrang saya -- kahitminsan tinitiisnaminangpagud.Minsanmaybiruanat tuksohan , pamapawala

ngpagodikanga.Tuladnalangngkasabihang“wordsare not enough to explainhow I feel”. Pagdating sapamimigay ng mga reliefgoods, masasabi ko yunang aking hinihintaydahil doon mo talagamararamdam kung gaanomo kamahal ang pagigingvolunteer. Pinagwawalang-bahala minsan na di kamakakain , basta mayroonkang ,maiaabotsakanila.Makikitamoangmgangitisa kanilang mga labi atmaririnig mo ang salitang“maraming salamat po!”.Aaminin kong doon akohumuhogot ng lakas ngloob para maging masiglaat nagpasalamat sa Diyosna ginawa akong isanginstrumento sa pagigingvolunteeratmakaktulongsaakingkapwataosagitnangnapakasakit at mapait nanaranasannilasatrahedyanadulotnSendong.

Mga Testimonya sa Pipila ka mga DUYOG ILIGAN Volunteers

An-an Chuy

Aldren Paul

Max Junjun

Rex

Rodel

Jerbee

Ang akong maingon base sa experience kay dili diay dali magvolunteer ug magrepack ug maghatag ug relief. Parehas atong pag-adto namo sa Mandulog kay lisod kaayo ang dalan. Ang uban pa nag-ingon nga dili mayo ang ilang nadawat unya ang uban nga wala naapektuhan kay makadawat. Ang mga gipanghatag sa ila kay pili-an na. Tapos gusto nila nga adtuan jud sila sa ilahang mga balay. Makit-an nimo nga nangawala ang mga balay sa kadaghanan. Makaingon gyud ko nga dili dapat pamutlon ang mga kahoy ky wala’y magpugong sa tubig. Undangon pud dapat ang mina.

Ako nakit-an sa Rogonon kay opaw jud ang lugar. Akong nakit-an sa mga balay dli guro ingon ato ka dako ang guba kung tubig ra pero naa may troso nga bisan concrete nga balay kay apil og kalaras. Ang mga otoridad dani walay ginabuhat ky paagion ra ang mga troso nga molabay kay basi og hatagan sila og kwarta. Maong nadaot samot ang kinaiyahan kay wala nay mga dako nga kahoy sa Iligan. Kapoy kaayo magrelief. Parehas sa Rogongon kay pag-adto kay init unya pagbalik kay ulan. Tapos pagkabuntag ky trangkaso dayon.

Before ko nagvolunteer kay naay nagbalita sa amo nga banlas daw angIligan. Nahadlok mi kay naa man mi mga relatives sa Hinaplanon. Pag-ingon nga nanginahanglan og volunteer nitabang gyud mi dili lang sa mga tao kay sa mga relatives pud namo. Maski wala mi matabang nga kwarta pero amo kusog nalang among itabang. Ang mga patay kay wala gilubong diretso unya makadaot baya sa health sa mga tao. Naasign pud ko sa critical area makakita ka og mga tao nga gadala dala ug caliber 45 unya magpalista sila wala mi mabuhat kay gadala sa pusil.

Katong baha kay uban ko og tabang sa kauban. Ang tubig kay nibuylo sa taas kay napugngan sa tulay.

Sa relief sa January 3 na ko nakatabang kay niuli ko pero pag-abot kay namawi og tabang. Nakit-an nako nga wala gyud kayo natabang ang gobyerno tapos dili sila prepared ani nga panghitabo. Tapos mao to pasensya gihapon ug maayo ky nameet nako ning mga kauban nga volunteers pud. First time pud to nga nakaapil ko aning pagvolunteer sa disaster.

Maski kinsa paka basta kalamidad ang kalaban wala jud ka mabuhat. Ingon sa mga driver nga ang dapat sisihon gyud ani kay kanang mga tao nga gapamutol sa mga kahoy. Daghan ko na-meet sa mga kauban nga nagbabad pod sa pagresponde sa kalamidad. Kapoy kaayo pero relieving gihapon kay makit-an nimu ilang mga smile.

Sa distribution bisan na kapoy kay ok lang kay makatabang ko sa uban tao. Sa uban area mawad-an gyud ka og tingog kay dili magfollow ang uban. Naa koy gikalagutan nga babae nga balik balik iya name pero gi ok nalang namu ky murag ok raman sa uban. Katong babae kay manguha ug number. Lain kaayo sa mga gapanghatag.

Pag-adto namu sa Digkilaan nakit-an namo ang mga naguba. Ang suba kay murag nakaupat tapos init kayo kung magrelief mi.

Nianhi ko para mutabang og ganahan ko ky nakaadto sa uban lugar. Excited ko tapos naay uban nga i-Sir gud ka. Dili dali magvolunteer kay hago. Tapos makit-an nmu luoy kayo ang uban kay naay missing, patay, ug walay balay. Lisod jud ning mabahaan ta kay wla nay gamit, mawala ang uban pamilya, walay maulian.

Gitahasan ko nga magvalidate og data sa mga area. Kani nga trabaho kapoy gyud siya kay sayo kaayo ka magmata. Maayo pud nga experience kay nakasulod ko sa mga tago nga lugar. Nakakita pud ko sa lugar sa mga Higaonun ug hadlok pud siya kay pangpang ang mga dalan. Naa pud tong habal2 kay gikuha ang pusil nga gibilin sa kasagbutan ky naay rido. Ang uban pa kay pag-abot nimo mgduol sila nga gadaladala ug pusil abi nila gikan me sa gobyerno. Bisan pa man, magpadayon gihapon ko.

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Figure Matters

List of Donors as of February 10 2012 Save the Children, Globe Telecom, Cotabato Network , KASAMAKA, CONZARRD and People from Zamboanga del

Sur, Duyog Tri-people Youth Organization, Purok from Barangay Maria Christina, Samahan ng Magsasaka at Mangigisda sa Sigayan and Barangay Sigayan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, People from Municality of Parang, IRA511, St. Martin, de Porres Parish, Easter Joy School, Pro-ARMM, Mt. Carmel Parish, and Rev. Fr. Joselito Borja, Ayala Business Club, People’s Organization from Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Integrated Pastoral Development, Inc, University of the Philippines Center for Social Work & Community Development (UP CSWCD), Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD), National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP) and Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation, Inc., UNHCR and CFSI, Akbayan and UNILAB, Medical Action Group (MAG), National Acupuncture and Detoxification Association, Humanitarian Response Consortium, Integrated Rural Development Foundation, Inc., AKMK Caraga Cluster, Senators Pia and Allan Peter Cayetano, Apo Ranaw and Amerol Family, Cong. Varf Belmonte, Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestics and Service Workers (CLADS) , Plan International, Dr. Emie Tubias, Phd, Dr. Malou Pacubas, Dr. Romulo Ybiernas, M.D., UST Psychosocial Clinic

Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS) donated, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), KASAMAKA, CONZARRD and People from Zamboanga del Sur, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Employees Association (PEA) and Director, Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK) MagCot, Dr. Erlinda Senturias, VSO Bahaginan and Mindanao Peace Partners, Puok 8 from Barangay Maria Christina, KALASAG Foundation, Mary Theresa Conway and her friends, Alex de Jong, Maurits Maas , Susan Caldwell, Yanick Matteau, Genevieve Talbot, Mary Therese Norbe , Josein Steenbergen, Nexus Travel and Tours, Integrated Pastoral Development, Inc, Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières, Rufina Food Manufacturers (RFM), Humanitarian Response Consortium, Development & Peace Canada, Entraide et Fraternite, Vhong and Goldy Fenis, Ching Borres, Ms. Ibrahim, Partnership of Philipine Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA), Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement (MPPM) and its secretariats

RDRRAC Financial Update

In K

ind

(Goo

ds a

nd L

abor

)In

Cas

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The total amount of cash donations received by Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center (RDRRAC), Inc. is Php 3,170,598.21 and below is how it is spent.

1.) Relief Operation Cost covers

marketing, hauling, packing, data validation and actual distribution. This is 63% of the total expenses.

2.) Operational Cost includes volunteers’ transportation, food and allowances, communication and offices supplies. This takes the 31% of the total expenses.

3.) Campaign and Advocacy comprises consultative forums, focus group discussions, meetings and publication of educational materials. This

The chart shows the percentage of cash donationsRDRRACreceivedfromdifferentpartofplacesintheworldtohelpoutthevictimsofTyphoonSendonginIliganCity.

makes up the remaining 6% of the total expenses.

For the relief goods distribution of RDRRAC and for the places o location where the goods were distributed, please see the 3W in page 11 and the Distribution Map in page 16.

DUYOG ILIGAN Documentation and Communication Team was created in response to the disaster brought about by Typhoon SENDONG which started on the night of December 16, 2011. Since then, the team also started its task in documenting, word processing the list of survivors, validating the data, social networking, blog updating, and many more. All these hard works are submitted in the name of volunteerism and in helping the survivors reclaim their rights, restore their dignity, and rebuild lives. Composed of seasoned and well-rounded young individuals coming from different network organizations of RDRRAC, the team was able to perform tons of works with a combination of seriousness and amusement. They even fondly call themselves Tarantistas. So who exactly are these Tarantistas?

Tarantistas (sing. Tarantista) coming from a Spanish term, taranta, that purports to mental disturbance and madness. This explains the sum total of this team’s conative behaviour as they are always in the state of panic so to deliver relevant information and efficient services to the teams under the disaster response structure as well as to the people who might be needing their service.

He chose to stay to finish his work even risking not spending quality time with his family during Christmas and New Year. Mark facilitates all the meetings of the team. He is responsible for updating the 3Ws report and has an inventory of all available data gathered by RDRRAC through its reputable DUYOG ILIGAN Volunteers.

Ching can manage to do both finance and documentation work. How? Follow her twitter @my_ching. As smart as her smartphone, she always makes sure to update the RDRRAC status and activities over social networks. She manages to go back and forth from the office, to other offices, to the bank transactions and then back to her haven, the Tarantarium (our own version of war room). Considering the fact that she’s a loving Mom to her beautiful and gifted daughter Isabelli, she finishes the tasks given to her before going home.

He is meticulous in handling the EXCEL formatting and encoding of validated data. He always has a “good morning” greetings to all with a smile. When everyone is already troubled and overburdened of their tasks, he is gifted of strategies to uplift them. Simply amazing indeed, he can turn the storm back into the sun.

Endowed by a plethora of terminologies, this walking Meriam Webster startlingly spells out-of-this-world words to the team. Upon joining the team, he developed his love for twitter and, faster than the wink of an eye, has gained a mass of followers. You may follow him @Isboytivismo. Also known for his editing prowess, Isboy was the one who exerted effort to pursue the first release of the DUYOG ILIGAN Newsletter.

The cutest among the team, Aga made a great contribution in skinning the identity of the survivors’ data. He can also keep his cool and manages to withstand the pressures he got from the Tarantarium and his HR work.

The most silent among the team, he was praised when he did the cartooning of the first newsletter issue. Burt can also fast track the word processing of documents. He is indeed pretty silent, but pretty impressive.

Matet was the one responsible for the stunning photos of Duyog Iligan. Nothing escapes the lens of her beautiful, not to mention, expensive camera.

Originally hailed as the Tarantarium’s External Relations Personel, Omar has been responsible in monitoring and updating the situation in Laville Gymnasium (the adopted evacuation center of RDRRAC). His connections to INGO’s are making a blast. He usually offers drinks during panic zone moments.

In a span of two months, these people have built an indestructible camaraderie, respect, and trust for each other. No matter how immense the pressure they get from this endeavor, their bond and good working relationship is the debriefing mechanism that relieves them before the day ends.

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ComicBoy IDP

BogBulaBog

Di Pangangailangan

Wag nalang sana

22

Our heartfelt thank you and felicitations to all the donors and friends for the solidarity and in helping out IDPs in this in this difficult time. No picture can capture this feeling. We are hoping that your camaraderie will accompany us in the process of rebuilding our lives.

Pasalamat sa mga donors ug kahigalahan sa kaayohan ug pakigduyog sa panahon nga gikinahanglan sa IDPs. Walay pictures nga maka-capture sa gibati. Hinaut nga magpadayon og kuyog kanamo sa padayong paglawig aron makatukod balik sa among kinabuhi.

Thank You BOX How can You help?

Any donation can be channeled to ournetwork command center, RDRRAC,

(Ranaw Disaster Response andRehabilitation \Assistance Center

Inc.) at Door 2 Maca-agir Apt., 6thEast, Tubod, Iligan City, Lanao

del Norte Philippines, telephonenumber +63 63-223-3171. You maydeposit your monetary donation in

its accounts:Land Bank of the Philippines Account

Number: 0321-1964-03, Iligan City,Ranaw Disaster Response and

Rehabilitation Assistance Center(RDRRAC Inc).

China Banking CorporationAccount Name: RDRRAC, Inc. withaccount no. 186-123321-9 Swift

Code: CHBKPHMMAllied Bank Dollar Account Name:

RDRRACI Account No. 0672-00299-8Swift Code: ABCMPHMM or Paypal

ID: ching.borres@gmail.com

We are hoping for your compassionand solidarity.

ADONA G. ORQUILLAS

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Twitter, and/or subscribe us atrdrrac.wordpress.com

Next Issue. . . . .

IDPs: How can we move on