Relief Photos...

Legazpi City

I. Identification Information

   A. Disaster Event

1. Disaster type: Typhoon
2. Areas Affected: Legazpi
3. Date of Disaster: November 30 - 1 of December 2006
4. No. of affected families: 237,146
5. Proponent: Citizen’s Disaster Response Center Inc., CDRC
6. Partner PO: Bicol’s Movement for Disaster Response, Inc.
7. Supporting Partner-Donor: Philippine Charities Foundation-Florida USA

II. The Disaster Event / Background Information

    A. Disaster Profile

On November 30, 2006, a typhoon hit the Philippines Area of Responsibility. As super typhoon Reming (international codename: Durian) left, a total of 93,582 families or 455,593 persons in 694 barangays of the 67 municipalities and 6 cities in 11 Provinces of Regions IV-A, IV-B and V hace been affected by the super typhoon. Of these, 5,612 families or 29,790 individuals have fled to 190 designated evacuation centers.

Hardly recovering from super typhoon Milenyo’s effects, the Bicol Region was warned as Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 4. Catanduanes, Albay, and the Camarines Provinces were severely damaged by Typhoon Reming. Other areas affected were from Southern Tagalog Region particularly, Marinduque, Batangas and Mindoro.

     B. Extent of Damages

The provincial officials initially placed the losses at Php 500 million in the agriculture sector affecting coconut, and rice. Lifelines were heavily affected as well. The Bicol region and Marinduque island are currently experiencing power blackout due to fallen electric towers and posts. Damage from Reming is at least twice more extensive than trom Milenyo. After having been battered twice, coconut yields cannot recover until after 18 months.

III. The Center’s Response (RDO Implementation / Management)

From the support donation of $3,000 provided by the Philippine Charities Foundation-Florida USA, CDRC was able to provide emergency food relief to 350 families in Sitio Pag-asa, Barangay Rawis in Legazpi City and Barangay Lourdes in Tiwi, Albay.

The CDRC field operation department staff immediately coordinated with Bicol’s Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR) to plan the relief operation. The planning includes preparation and coordination with local government offices as well as prioritization of target beneficiaries. Also, the canvassing and purchasing of relief goods were discussed.

The repacking of goods was done at the office of the Bicol Movement for Disaster Response.  Ten volunteers were mobilized from the two communities for the repacking as well as with the actual relief operation. During the actual distribution the operation went on smoothly except for barangay Rawis. The actual relief distribution in barangay Rawis was delayed for more than an hour as the vehicle rented experienced mechanical problems. The community was ready when we arrived for the relief delivery operation.

The 350 families received relief packs consist of the following items:

Items	Quantity
Rice	6 kilos
Sardines	3 tins
Dried fish	½ kg
Sugar	½ kg
Monggo	½ kg
Oil	1 pint
Soap bar	½ bar

 

Relief Delivery Operation Data:

Date	Municipality / Barangay	Target Beneficiaries	Actual Served
Jan. 29, 2007	Sitio Pag-asa, Bgy. Rawis,Legazpi City		164
Feb. 6, 2007	Bgy. Lourdes,Tiwi, Albay		186
TOTAL			350

 

IV. Assessment of Assistance Rendered:

Timeliness:  The relief assistance was timely as the beneficiaries have yet to recover from the onslaught of Typhoon Reming and Typhoon Seniang. Majority have yet to get their houses fixed and their livelihood revived. It became more timely during the actual RDO  as climate changes it continuously hampered some of the beneficiaries from farming and fishing which is their primary source of livelihood.

Furthermore, some people who were not included in the list of beneficiaries were almost in tears as they appealed that they also be given assistance. Although some residents vouched for the validity of their statements, it was unfortunate that they were not given assistance due to the limitation of available resources.

Appropriateness:  Given the point that the beneficiaries suffered losses in livelihood, the food assistance was very much appropriate.  Some beneficiaries were very thankful of the assistance as they narrate that they have nothing to cook for the day.

Involvement:Apart from the volunteers from the partner organization, some of those who were involved in the stub distribution, repacking and actual distribution were themselves beneficiaries of the RDO.

Problems encountered:

• Not verified number of beneficiaries resulted to delay of the operation
• Transportation of goods did not arrive on time that added to delay of activities.
• Change of target area due to the insistent demand of the community that all families would be the beneficiaries

Strengths:

• Availability of manpower.
• Availability of funds to address needs that arose.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of coordination within the partner organization about the changes of target beneficiaries
• Lack of communication between the area staff and coordinator within the organization

Lessons Learned:

• Proper coordination within the organization is a key for good implementation of activities
  
• Active networking with LGU’s, other institution and organizations etc. is a good venue to make services available and easy to mobilized people

V. Recommendations / Plans

• Make the plans always coordinated with all participating organization for a successful relief operation.