Worldwide Bayanihan (Humanitarian Aid and Volunteerism)

6 November 2014

International World Vision has helped one million individuals, who survived the super typhoon Yolanda. Almost half of these survivors are children. The organization has provided almost 2,500 houses for the homeless aside from livelihood, health, and education assistance. World Vision is a global relief organization. Thomson Reuters Foundation http://www.trust.org/item/20141104173110-kcm7x/?source=fiTheWire

3 November 2014

International Provinces affected by the super typhoon Yolanda, particulary the Eastern Visayas, will recover in 4 to 5 years. That's according to ADB VP for East Asia, Southeast and the Pacific Stephen Groff. That's a normal period, according to Groff. GMA Network Online http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/386435/economy/finance/progress-being-made-in-yolanda-affected-areas-adb-says

Events Taking Place on 8 November 2014

Washington DC

The Philippine Embassy, the US Philippines Society, and the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition organizes a celebration of the Mass and ecumenical prayers for those who died in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda. This will be at 5:00 PM

Borongan, Eastern Samar

The CBCP celebrates a Triduum Mass to mark the Yolanda super typhoon anniversary. The Mass will be held in the town plaza of Guiuan on November 8 at 4:00 PM. GMA News Onlinehttp://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/386318/news/regions/mass-triduum-in-eastern-samar-diocese-set-for-yolanda-anniversary

Tacloban

Two survivors of the typhoon Yolanda plan to light candles at a mass grave on November 8, 2014 - a year after the super typhoon killed their loved ones. The Malay Mail Online http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/for-typhoon-haiyan-survivors-love-offers-fresh-dreams-in-the-philippines

Marianas, Saipan

A Mass is to be held at San Jose Church in San Jose, Saipan at 6:00 PM. This is organized by the US Pinoys for Good Governance, Global Filipino Diaspora, and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. Marianas Variety http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/70856-haiyan-first-anniversary-to-be-commemorated

3 Nov 2014: Paeng, Super Typhoon of 2014 But ...

The Super Typhoon Paeng (international name Nuri) could be the strongest typhoon in 2014.

The super typhoon Nuri was intensifying at 180 miles per hour; could reach 195 mph late in the afternoon on November 3, Philippine time. However, at around 6:00 AM, November 4, the super typhoon weakened at 165 mph.

Super typhoon Yolanda was a stronger typhoon wrecking at 190 mph.

The video that follows shows how a super typhoon looks like if viewed from space.

 

Filipino Bayanihan (Humanitarian Aid and Volunteerism)

3 November 2014

The PLDT Yolanda project involves installing an underground fiber optic cables in areas devastated by Yolanda super-typhoon. The project will reconnect the affected areas to the rest of the Philippines. The project costs P400 million.
Philippine Star http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/11/03/1387291/pldt-completes-yolanda-project

31 October 2014

Aquino Approved P168B for Yolanda Rehab After A Year

P-Noy, after almost a year, approved a P168 billion recovery and rehabilitation plan for Eastern Visayas. Inquirer http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/648035/finally-aquino-oks-p168b-yolanda-plan

30 October 2014

The Rise of a New Town

It is a new town, called The New Tacloban Township, in the northern part of Tacloban, where some 500 houses were built in this 10-hectare land. The new town can accommodate 14,500 families. Away from the coastal areas, this place is least vulnerable to damage during storm surge or typhoon. Soon, this little town would have schools, a public market, and other establishments. Tempo http://www.tempo.com.ph/2014/10/new-town-to-rise/#.VFy0ADSUfng

29 October 2014

Philippines Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, through the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice, and Peace, aims to build at least 3000 homes for the Yolanda survivors. So far, 1600 homes (permanent shelters, not transitional ones) had been completed. NASSA is locally known as Caritas Philippines. Asia News Italy http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Filipino-Church-builds-more-than-1,600-housing-units-for-Yolanda-victims-32562.html

1 Nov 2014: Super Typhoon and the Initiative of CCF

PAGASA To Adopt 'Super Typhoon' Category

PAGASA may officially use the term "Super Typhoon" to refer to a typhoon with a maximum sustained wind of more than 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph). A typhoon, as revised, is to be classified as having 118 to 220 kph sustained winds.

GMA News Online
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/386166/weather/for-improved-response-pagasa-to-adopt-super-typhoon-category-in-2015

CCF Formed To Respond First To Disasters

Singapore formed Corporate Citizen Foundation (CCF) as a response to help victims of disasters from neighboring countries. This coalition of private organization comprises aircraft, healthcare, water purification, civil engineering, and media assets.

Today Online, Singapore
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/private-sector-alliance-aims-be-first-responders-should-disaster-strike-region

Point Of View

It's been a year since parts of Eastern Visayas were devastated by the Super Typhoon Yolanda. Yet, until today, these provinces have not progressed due to the super slow and lack of initiative of the Philippine national and local government. On 8 November 2013, national and international organizations responded quickly, before the national Philippine government could, to give assistance to typhoon victims and survivors. Yet, red tape slowed down reaching the victims who immediately needed help.

What is Red Tape

For this POV, I'd like to redefine red tape to mean ~

-- excessive use of useless USELESS procedures

-- lack or absence of initiative, due perhaps to fear of making decisions without the epal-go-signal of those higher in rank

-- epalfie - a viral disease that usually affects people in the government who want their signatures affixed in every document to ensure a certain monetary percentage

-- mañana habit or bukas na lang attitude - it means doing tomorrow for the nth time what can be done today.

Worldwide Bayanihan (Humanitarian Aid and Volunteerism)

"The Immaculate Conception Church in Guiuan, Eastern Samar" by Rabosajr - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

31 October 2014

Relief Efforts Show Progress

Hawaii, USAJon Matsuoka saw progress in Eastern Visayas during his recent visit there on behalf of the Consuelo Foundation. Dr Seiji Yamada agrees to see progress. Hawaii raised US$ 3 million for the devastated Eastern Visayas.
Hawaii News Now http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/27171974/one-year-after-haiyan-relief-efforts-show-progress

31 October 2014

US Funds Rebuilding Church Destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda

USA The US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, through US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, grants US$ 300,000 fund to rebuild the centuries-old Immaculate Conception Church in Guiuan, Samar. Construction of the church started in 1630[?] and completed in 1768[?]. GMA News Online http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/385834/news/nation/church-destroyed-by-yolanda-to-get-p13m-reconstruction-grant-from-usa

US Embassy
http://manila.usembassy.gov/pressandphotoreleases2014/with-help-us-embassy-philippine-church-given-new-life.html

Pro-environment Activist Walks To Tacloban

Beginning on 2 October 2014, Naderev Saño and fellow pro-environment activists walk 1,000 kilometers en route to Tacloban – the city mostly devastated by the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). The 8th of November marks a year since the deadly typhoon killed 6300 people, more than 3 million families affected, and 89 billion pesos cost of damages.

Naderev Saño made headlines when he burst into tears while speaking before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland held last 11 November 2013. The conference was held days after the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated the Visayan region of the Philippines. You can watch part of his speech on YouTube.