STATE OF CALAMITY

LIFE After YOLANDA

People heed calls to evacuate

DAVAO CITY DONATION: Governor Roger Mercado looks at the P 3 million check donation for typhoon victims of the province given by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (left). Duterte landed at the Sunken Garden by chopper Nov. 13. (to page 4)

Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg.November 1-15, 2013 Vol. I, No. 9

Zero Casualty in So. Leyte - Gov. RGM

The Sangguniang Panlalaw-igan (SP) of this province de-clared on mass motion during their regular session Monday, Nov. 11 a state of calamity for a duration of one month effective November 7, in the aftermath of supertyphoon Yolanda. The declaration was con-tained in resolution number 877 sponsored by Board Member Abelardo Almario.

The province of South-ern Leyte attained the zero casualty record as communities endured and survived the howling winds blown by superty-phoon Yolanda, the stron-gest to hit the country and the world thus far Novem-ber 8.

People from all over the 18 towns and one city of the province trooped to designated evacuation centers, oth-ers sought shelter in concrete homes of neighbors, just to pass the night away and be safe from the expected howl-ing of strong winds blown by typhoon Yolanda. As darkness sets in November 7, data on number of families going to evacu-ation centers began pouring in at the operation center in the provincial cap-itol, the figure constantly updated by the hour as the number swelled every passing minute.

“Typhoon Yolanda, the world’s most powerful ty-phoon in living memory which wrought havoc be-yond imagination on the lives and properties in the Visayas including the Province of Southern Leyte is a matter of public knowledge,” the reso-lution stressed. It added: “the destruction spawned by said typhoon re-

Gov. Roger Mercado made the statement Fri-day afternoon, barely two hours after Yolanda un-leashed its fury, at the Operation Center in the Capitol, where he was briefed by Danilo Atienza, Provincial Disaster Man-agement Office (PDMO)

Consultant, in the on-go-ing damage assessment. Sangguniang Panlalaw-igan Member Ailleen Es-trera, chair of the SP spe-cial committee on disaster preparedness, virtually spent the past 48 hours get-ting inputs from the vari-ous city, municipal disaster risk reduction councils. Data posted in the white-board at the Operation Center showed only six persons were slightly in-jured during the typhoon, one each in Hinundayan and Malitbog, and two each in Padre Burgos and Saint Bernard. As of this writing, the

(to page 4)(to page 2)

The images on national TV, the online media, and the graphic re-ports aired over radio broadcasts on the widespread destruction, the massive devastation in lives and properties left behind by superty-phoon Yolanda -- a world record as the strongest storm -- were more than enough to melt even the most battle-hardened hearts. But the spirit to survive was even more dar-ing, as communities struggled and rose to meet the challenge.

(to page 4)

OPERATION YOLANDA: Gov. Mercado with members of the staff handling the operation center for typhoon Yolanda at the Capitol.

Vol. I, No.9

Page 2 November 1-15, 2013

Law allows forced evacuation

People heed... (from page 1)

The new law governing disaster risk reduction manage-ment allowed the authorities to forcibly move out hard-head-ed residents in an identified danger area, even if this required bodily carrying them to safe grounds. This was revealed by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ailleen Estrera, head of the SP’s special committee on di-saster risk reduction management, during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA cable TV program Wednesday morning. “The Police or the barangay tanods can take out by force a family or a person who will not heed the warnings to evacu-ate,” said Estrera, herself an active member of Sogod Emer-gency Response Team prior to his election at the provincial level. Danny Atienza, head of the Provincial Disaster Manage-ment Office (PDMO), appealed to residents living along the high-risk areas like coastlines, riverbanks, or in mountainous valleys, and other low-lying areas to listen to calls to evacu-ate once it will be determined that the province will be in the typhoon’s path.

Sangguniang Palnlalawigan member Ailleen Estrera, head of the special committee on di-saster risk reduction, was in the thick of action, either at the re-ceiving end of reports from var-ious municipal disaster risk re-duction council from the fields, or she was the one calling them for updates. Marichu Tan, the provincial head of the Office of Civil De-fense (OCD), complemented the data gathering process with her contacts as well. As of 3:00 PM thursday, some 118 families or 1,604 individu-als evacuated in five evacuation centers in the town of Sogod -- Sogod National High School, Central School, Immaculate Conception Parish, barangay Mahayahay and Consolacion. The evacuees were from baran-gays zone III, V, Milagroso, and Consolacion, MDRRMO-desig-nate Robe Estillore reported. In Padre Burgos, 106 families moved to evacuation centers in two public elementary schools and the Iglesia Pilipina Indepen-

dente Church, the PNP provin-cial command reported. In Limasawa, 66 families moved to two elementary schools and the facilities at the municipal building; Malitbog had 52 fami-lies; Pintuyan 244 families, and 478 family evacuees in San Juan. At Hinundayan, three families moved out, while at San Ricardo, 98 families. In the capital city of Maas-in, more than 400 families from barangays Asuncion, Mamba-jao, Tagnipa, and Combado left their homes for safer shelters at the City National High School, Mantahan Pilot School, DILG auditorium, and others. These movements were most-ly in the nature of pre-emptive evacuation, but in Libagon forced evacuation was em-ployed to transfer some 134 families from vulnerable areas to the municipal evacuation center as of 7:50 PM, OCD Tan reported. Five or six towns have yet to relay the status of their evacu-ees as of this writing.

HANDWRITINGS ON THE WALL Recent natural catastrophes devastating the Visayas like Bohol, Leyte, Samar and among others are more than enough vital signs and stern warnings for seriousness and priority in taking care of our nat-ural resources. While some would say these were all works of Nature, we all know human neglect and greed have contributed much to courting Nature’s ire thru abuse and overuse of nature’s gifts. It’s time to do much more than lip service of and getting “pogi points”. Lets ACT now before it’s too late! There’s so many impending environmental di-sasters waiting to happen in So. Leyte. Among these are the ill effects of indiscriminate mining and over commercial extraction of sand and gravel. The sys-tematic rape of Subangdaku riverbeds is more than the crime of plunder. We cannot just sit idly by the fence and watch the parade of barges carrying our minerals across the seas. Something radical and rev-olutionary has to be done the soonest. The rape has been systemic and the plunder endemic at Subangdaku and others. We don’t need another Yolanda to further belabor the issue.

YOLANDA WARNING: Provincial Disaster Consultant Danilo Atienza and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Aileen “Tata” Estrera discuss ways and means for people to be safe during landfall of typhoon Yolanda. They appeal for people to move out to evacuation centers. The appeal was made during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA at the Capitol two days before the super typhoon. With them are hosts Erna Sy Gorne (left) and Bong Pedalino (right).

ESTORYAHI!Willie Justimbaste

Vol. I, No.9

November 1-15, 2013 Page 3

rived at the Maasin City port. For the need of retailers, Tan said he would request his higher-ups for additional volume to the ex-isting seven (7) bags allowed per retailer per week. Finance -- long lines at various ATM outlets for withdraw-als also a daily fare. Pawnshops, LBC, and other cash remitting outlets crowded but orderly, as families from other areas send money. Government -- Civilian officials of local government units take command, putting everything under control, including the peace and order situation. Public and privates office are business as usual, having adjusted to the blackout. New business opportunity -- electric charging outlets for a fee sprouted like mushrooms to fill in need of electricity for various gad-gets -- flashlights, cell phones, laptops, netbooks, tablets, etc. Rescue teams -- from the province, city, and other municipalities continued to make their presence felt in typhoon-ravaged localities. Giving -- is still very much a valued heroic act nowadays. Priori-ty needs are food, water, medicine. Any generous contribution, even how little, is greatly appreciated. Donations are welcome in every par-ish through the local parish priest, as Bishop Precioso Cantillas and dyDM Manager Fr. Erwin Octot appealed. Other faiths have their ini-tiatives of soliciting donations, so give whatever your religion. And, finally, a new storm by the name of “Zorayda” -- came and went November 12 uneventful, with 55 kph winds, bringing only slight rains to the great relief of everyone . . .

Life after....(from page 4)

State of Calamity... (from page 4) “The declaration will, among others, effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas and afford government ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of, and to continue to provide basic services to affected populations, in accordance with law,” the President said.

ACTUAL PHOTOS taken during Yolanda in the

morning of Friday November 8.

Vol. I, No.9

November 1-15, 2013Page 4

State of....(from page 1)

Life after....(from page 1)

Zero Casualty....(from page 1)sulted in such colossal losses and damages to infrastructures, agricultural crops, projects, ser-vices and activities which hamper in a large mea-sure the continued progress and development of the province.” It said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council recommended to address the damages as reported by various government agencies “necessitating expenditures of public funds for the province’s recovery efforts.” The declaration cited as legal basis Section 468 and Section 16 of the Local Government Code, which referred to the powers, duties and functions of the provincial board, as well as the promotion of general welfare among the inhabitants. In a related development, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 682 Nov. 11 declaring a State of National Calamity which “shall remain in force and effect until lifted by the President.”

circumstances of the injuries were not qualified just yet, but it was al-ready established that no person died at the height of the storm. Partially damaged houses were re-ported in Bontoc, Hinunangan, Li-bagon, Padre Burgos, San Ricardo, and Sogod, while totally damaged were reported in Macrohon, Padre Burgos, San Ricardo, and Sogod. Damage assessment on infrastruc-ture, public and private properties, and in agriculture are still continu-ing. Assistant District Engr. Allan Eway texted PIA that all nation-al highways were already passable after having been cleared of debris and fallen trees. But power supply remained off, the blackout estimated to last two

weeks, even months. More than 9,000 families all over the province evacuated to designat-ed evacuation centers, and many have started going back to their homes. At the National Food Authority (NFA) provincial office, some 516 bags of rice were withdrawn during the typhoon. These included 100 bags for Sogod, 200 bags for the province through the Provincial So-cial Welfare and Development Of-fice (PSWDO), ang 216 bags for the town of Saint Bernard, said Lorna Ordiz of NFA-province. Gov. Mercado thanked all the volunteers for an all-night vigil at the Operation Center for typhoon Yolanda, praising their strength, courage, and determination.

Southern Leyte province, relatively unaffected, literally opened its doors in open soli-darity with the victims. We can relate with survivors’ pains and hurts, their suffering, their cries, while we extend a helping hand. The impact in Yolanda’s fury is an altered way of living we continue to bear a week after the storm -- and even in days and months ahead. Power restoration -- Per NGCP Media advisory as of 3:00 PM Nov. 14; “It may take 5-6 weeks before these major lines (350 kv, 230 kv, 138 kv) will be energized”. Communication -- cellular phone signals to/from Tacloban and other badly hit areas are down, so with telephone lines. Globe, Smart, Sun signals all over the province are relatively

stable, although some experi-enced difficulty in texting and calling at certain times of the day. Telephone lines, howev-er, have limited to no access. Radio Station dyDM re-sumed broadcast November 12 using its own generator set. Free prime time TV news -- also starting on November 12, the City government, in coordination with the provin-cial government and the office of Rep. Damian Mercado, of-fered free viewing to the pub-lic of prime-time newscast on national TV at the city gym. Means of contact -- in-ternet wifi in the province is down most of the time, but with “stick” -- globe tattoo or smart bro -- contact with friends, relatives, and families, or getting real-time updates in Yolanda-hit areas, may be

done using the social media like twitter, hastag, facebook, and websites. This is facili-tated by the Red Cross and the disaster bodies of various LGUs. Transportation -- two or three days after the typhoon, all major roads in the province were already passable, but the highway going to Tacloban, starting at Abuyog, even if passable, was still littered with debris. Fuel -- sights of long lines of vehicles, trucks, buses, and people have become daily routine, as consumers from typhoon-hit areas came to gas up; supply posed no problem, as tankers dutifully replen-ished stocks, upon the inter-vention of Gov. Roger Merca-do who called authorities at the national level. Prices/supply of basic commodities -- also not a

problem, as the Depart-ment of Trade and Industry (DTI) monitored prices to pre-Yolanda levels in re-sponse to the declaration of a State of National Calam-ity by President Benigno S. Aquino III on November 11. DTI Provincial Director Michael Nunez said he had talked with management of Gaisano-Maasin and Sogod, and Prince Warehouse No-vember 12, who assured him of enough, available supply and fuel for their generators to open their stores. Rice -- National Food Authority (NFA) Provincial Manager Zaldy Tan said their stocks in the province in pre-Yolanda days was 40,000 bags. By November 13, the sum was 30,000 bags. Also on that day, Nov. 13, a shipment of 20,000 bags ar-

(to page 3)

(to page 3)