by: THE COLOSSEO
LAST November 8, more than 50,000 churches in 89 dioceses throughout the country simultaneously rang church bells.
This is in commemoration of the anniversary of the devastation of typhoon Yolanda which left the country with more than 6,000 deaths.
LAST November 8, more than 50,000 churches in 89 dioceses throughout the country simultaneously rang church bells.
This is in commemoration of the anniversary of the devastation of typhoon Yolanda which left the country with more than 6,000 deaths.
It has already been a year after the super typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines, but its wrath is still conspicuous upon the land and people of Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Visayas.
For Junjun Cereno, a youth from Tacloban City, rehabilitation of the physical aspects is easier than emotional recovery, noting that the devastation of typhoon Yolanda brought fear to the people of Tacloban.
“While Typhoon Yolanda is in onslaught, it seemed like our minds were also experiencing typhoons. “Takot na takot kaming lahat. Sa tunog, sa patuloy na pagtaas ng tubig. Lalong lalo na ‘yung pagkatapos, kung gaano nasira ang Tacloban,” Cereno told the Colosseo.
He admitted that they almost lose their hopes, remembering how their two-story house was totally flooded.
“Wala na kaming magawa noon kung hindi magdasal. ‘Yung mga kapatid ko, umiiyak na. We honestly did not think that we would still live,” Cereno said.
Moreover, Leejay Manarosa, another youth who witnessed the onslaught of the typhoon, said with all the devastations emotionally and physically, the then highly-urbanized Tacloban City will never be the same again.
“Decades na ang puhunan para maging highly-urbanized city ang Tacloban. Tapos sa loob lang ng dalawa or tatlong oras, mawawala lahat. I think describing the city after the devastation as ‘wasak’ is an understatement,” Manarosa told the Colosseo.
(Watch Colosseo’s interview with Cereno and Manarosa)
During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, storm surges of more than 10 feet had pounded the area. Most of the houses in Tacloban, with a population of about 220,000 people, were completely destroyed, and almost all the trees and electric posts were torn down.
For Junjun Cereno, a youth from Tacloban City, rehabilitation of the physical aspects is easier than emotional recovery, noting that the devastation of typhoon Yolanda brought fear to the people of Tacloban.
“While Typhoon Yolanda is in onslaught, it seemed like our minds were also experiencing typhoons. “Takot na takot kaming lahat. Sa tunog, sa patuloy na pagtaas ng tubig. Lalong lalo na ‘yung pagkatapos, kung gaano nasira ang Tacloban,” Cereno told the Colosseo.
He admitted that they almost lose their hopes, remembering how their two-story house was totally flooded.
“Wala na kaming magawa noon kung hindi magdasal. ‘Yung mga kapatid ko, umiiyak na. We honestly did not think that we would still live,” Cereno said.
Moreover, Leejay Manarosa, another youth who witnessed the onslaught of the typhoon, said with all the devastations emotionally and physically, the then highly-urbanized Tacloban City will never be the same again.
“Decades na ang puhunan para maging highly-urbanized city ang Tacloban. Tapos sa loob lang ng dalawa or tatlong oras, mawawala lahat. I think describing the city after the devastation as ‘wasak’ is an understatement,” Manarosa told the Colosseo.
(Watch Colosseo’s interview with Cereno and Manarosa)
During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, storm surges of more than 10 feet had pounded the area. Most of the houses in Tacloban, with a population of about 220,000 people, were completely destroyed, and almost all the trees and electric posts were torn down.
Rehabilitation efforts from the government
The official website of the government showed that as of July 30 this year, more than 14,500 survivors still live in tents, and only 877 out of 17,335 classrooms that require rehabilitation have been completely repaired.
As of November 5, only 1,252 out of the 8,629 target housing units have been rehabilitated. The remaining 7,377 housing units are expected to be built by March 2015.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the livelihood of Yolanda survivors, only 4,981 out of 517,214 families with partially-damaged houses have been provided with cash-for-work assistance.
For instance, some Yolanda survivors who were drawn at random were given housing units, particularly 28 housing units in Sofia, Tagpuro and 122 housing units in Ridge View Park, Cabalawan.
Complete water and electric facilities were already restored in the permanent housing units, which was said to be a tie-up project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the city government.
The website also showed that the Tacloban Airport, which was one of the most damaged structures when Yolanda hit Tacloban, is currently under reconstruction.
Aside from the Tacloban airport, three other severely damaged airports and 14 seaport rehabilitation projects have been completed by transportation agencies.
Among the completed airports were Kalibo International Airport, the Roxas Airport, and the Busuanga Airport. The said airports are being implemented, amounting to 43.65 million pesos.
Included in the 14 ports which have been completely rehabilitated are Ports of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Pasacao in Albay; The Port of Maasin in Southern Leyte, and Fe Port in Bantayan, Cebu with a total of of P 41.2 million.
A survey conducted by Social Weather System in December last year showed that the victims viewed the efforts of foreign countries and private organizations as “excellent” while the local and the national government received a “very good” rating.
The official website of the government showed that as of July 30 this year, more than 14,500 survivors still live in tents, and only 877 out of 17,335 classrooms that require rehabilitation have been completely repaired.
As of November 5, only 1,252 out of the 8,629 target housing units have been rehabilitated. The remaining 7,377 housing units are expected to be built by March 2015.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the livelihood of Yolanda survivors, only 4,981 out of 517,214 families with partially-damaged houses have been provided with cash-for-work assistance.
For instance, some Yolanda survivors who were drawn at random were given housing units, particularly 28 housing units in Sofia, Tagpuro and 122 housing units in Ridge View Park, Cabalawan.
Complete water and electric facilities were already restored in the permanent housing units, which was said to be a tie-up project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the city government.
The website also showed that the Tacloban Airport, which was one of the most damaged structures when Yolanda hit Tacloban, is currently under reconstruction.
Aside from the Tacloban airport, three other severely damaged airports and 14 seaport rehabilitation projects have been completed by transportation agencies.
Among the completed airports were Kalibo International Airport, the Roxas Airport, and the Busuanga Airport. The said airports are being implemented, amounting to 43.65 million pesos.
Included in the 14 ports which have been completely rehabilitated are Ports of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Pasacao in Albay; The Port of Maasin in Southern Leyte, and Fe Port in Bantayan, Cebu with a total of of P 41.2 million.
A survey conducted by Social Weather System in December last year showed that the victims viewed the efforts of foreign countries and private organizations as “excellent” while the local and the national government received a “very good” rating.
Behind publicity and press releases
Despite the survey that showed victims’ contentment on the efforts of the government, some victims claimed President Benigno Aquino III’s administration’s efforts are not enough.
Aside from the simultaneous ringing of bells and various exhibits in Tacloban City, the celebration of the anniversary was also marked with rallies all over the area.
Manarosa said the efforts of non-government organizations (NGO) were more visible than the government. Among the NGOs mentioned were the Tzu Chi Foundation, World Vision, Caritas Manila, Gawad Kalinga, and the Philippine Red Cross.
“Kami, mas naramdaman namin ‘yung tulong ng NGO kaysa sa government. Simula sa pagbibigay ng relief goods, pagtulong sa rehabilitation, at hanggang ngayon. May tulong naman from the government kaya lang hindi namin masyadong maramdaman,” Manarosa said.
Cereno cited a scenario where the victims of the typhoon felt “disregarded” by the government, especially by the President.
“Pumunta dito si PNoy, kaso pagbaba niya ng eroplano, bumalik din siya kaagad. Medyo nagkagulo ‘yung mga tao, kase lahat sila, gusto ng relief, ng tulong,” Cereno said.
The Colosseo tried to reach the Department of Social Welfare and Development through an email sent weeks ago, but was ignored.
Aside from the NGOs, help from different countries and international organizations were felt, Cereno said. “The world gave eyes on us, but the President took us for granted.”
According to Cereno, the people of Tacloban think that the Aquino administration could have done better if political rivalries were not considered.
He added that during the anniversary, the President chose to visit Guiuan, which is less devastated compared to Tacloban.
“Sa tingin ko, kahit sa ganitong sitwasyon, pinapairal pa rin nila ang political rivalries. Syempre, ang mayor namin maka-Marcos. Kalaban niya. Opinyon ko lang naman ito,” Cereno said.
Alfred Romualdez, the mayor of Tacloban, is the nephew of former First Lady Imelda Marcos while the mayor of Guiuan, Christopher Gonzales, is an ally of the Aquino administration.
“Siguro bukod sa sitwasyon ng Tacloban at mga tao rito, kailangan din nating ipagdasal ang gobyerno na kapag tulong, tulong talaga. Kalimutan muna nila ang away sa pulitika,” Cereno said. With reports from Marktee Tantuco