Inaprubahan ng Bicam ang Electric Cooperatives emergency and resiliency fund

Ang naging karanasan ng lalawigan ng Marinduque noong mapanalantang Typhoon NinaPH ang isa lamang na naging dahilan sa pagsulong ng bagong batas na ito para sa mga ECs.

Si Cong Lord Allan Velasco bilang Chair ng House Committee on Energy

Sa Bicameral Conference Committee, tungkol sa Electric Cooperatives Calamity Fund, na nasa ilalim ng mahusay na pangangasiwa ng Chairman ng House Committee sa Enerhiya, Rep. Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, at Tagapangulo ng Senado Committee on Energy, at Sen. Sherwin "Win" T. Gatchalian, ay inaprubahan ang huling balangkas ng mga hindi magkatugmang probisyon ng mga bersyon ng House at Senado (HB No. 7054 at SB No. 1461, ayon sa pagkakabanggit) sa Emergency and Resiliency Fund (ECERF) ng Electric Cooperatives.

Kasama ang mga Kinatawan na sina Uybarreta , Roque, Batocabe, Salon at Romero (na binubuo ng panel ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan) at Senador Binay at Zubiri (na binubuo ng panel ng Senado).

Suporta at tulong sa Electric Cooperatives kapag may kalamidad

Sa kaso ng Marinduque ay rumisponde naman kapagdaka sa maikling panahon sa tulong ni Cong. Velasco ang mga EC's mula sa ibat-ibang lalawigan 

Ang panukalang batas na ito ay naghahangad na magbigay ng suporta at tulong sa Electric Cooperatives (ECs), na naaapektuhan ng mga hindi inaasahang kaganapan o force majeure upang agad na maibalik ang serbisyo ng kuryente, magbigay ng isang streamlined na proseso upang makakuha ng tulong pinansiyal, at magpatupad ng iba pang mga plano na makakatulong sa ECs na maging mas nakahanda sa pagharap sa mga natural na kalamidad sa hinaharap.

Sa karaniwan, mga dalawampung (20) bagyo ang bumibisita sa Pilipinas taun-taon, bukod pa sa iba pang mga sakuna tulad ng mga lindol at pagsabog ng bulkan. Ang mga kalamidad ay nagdudulot ng pagkasira ng mga pasilidad at pagkagambala sa serbisyo sa kuryente sa mga apektadong lugar.

Habang sinusubukan ng mga distribution utilities na ayusin ang kanilang mga pasilidad upang maibalik ang elektrisidad sa pinakamalapit na posibleng panahon, kadalasang kailangan nilang umasa sa mga magastos na instrumento sa pananalapi - na sa huli ay binabalikat ng mga consumers sa mga komunidad. 

Sa pagpasa ng ECERF sa batas, positibo si Kongresista Velasco na ang mga kooperatibang apektado ay makakakuha ng mas mabilis at magpapatuloy naman ang operasyon nang walang pasanin ang mga consumers.

Makati extends P15-million aid to 27 LGUs affected by Typhoon Nina

The following LGUs will receive P500,000 each: Balatan, Bato, Caramoan, and Goa in Camarines Sur; Sta. Cruz and Torrijos in Marinduque; and Daraga and Tabaco in Albay.

The rest of the recipients, to receive P250,000 each from the city, consist of Canaman, San Fernando, and San Jose, Camarines Sur; Gasan and Mogpog in Marinduque; Mulanay and San Andres in Quezon; and Libon, Albay
  

A view in Torrijos after Typhoon Nina. Photo: Ariel R. Reginio

The Makati City Council on Wednesday approved the release of P15-million as financial assistance to 27 local government units (LGUs) directly affected by Typhoon Nina in the provinces of Quezon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Marinduque.

Mayor Abby Binay had initiated the move as an expression of sympathy and support for the typhoon victims of the said LGUs, all of which are sister-localities of the city.

“I am saddened that our sister-localities had endured such a calamity at a time that was supposed to be a season of joy and hope. As their sister city, Makati is ready to help their affected constituents in the best way possible,” Binay said.

Through Resolution No. 2017-01 of the Makati DRRM Council, which is chaired by Mayor Binay, the appropriation of P15 million for the said purpose was recommended to the City Council for approval.

The funds will be taken from the Quick Response Fund comprising 30 percent of the city’s total budget for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). The stand-by fund is used in relief and recovery programs intended to normalize living conditions of residents in communities stricken by calamities, disasters and other forms of complex emergencies.

Makati DRRM Officer Richard Raymund Rodriguez said the 27 recipients of the newly-approved financial aid consist of 12 localities in Camarines Sur, six in Albay, four in Marinduque, three in Catanduanes, and two in Quezon province.

“Each LGU will receive a certain amount of financial assistance depending on the number of families affected in their area, ranging from 2,000 to 14,000 households. We have based the number on the official report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) concerning Typhoon Nina,” Rodriguez said.

To receive P1 million each are the localities of Malinao and Legazpi in Albay, and four localities in Camarines Sur, namely, Bula, Libmanan, Minalabac, Nabua and Pili.

On the other hand, P750,000 each has been allocated for Virac, Catanduanes and Sto. Domingo, Albay.

 

Damaged house in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Photo: Doc Ninia Rodil

P 500,000 each to Sta. Cruz and Torrijos

The following LGUs will receive P500,000 each: Balatan, Bato, Caramoan, and Goa in Camarines Sur; Sta. Cruz and Torrijos in Marinduque; and Daraga and Tabaco in Albay.

P 250,000 each to Gasan and Mogpog

The rest of the recipients, to receive P250,000 each from the city, consist of Canaman, San Fernando, and San Jose, Camarines Sur; Gasan and Mogpog in Marinduque; Mulanay and San Andres in Quezon; and Libon, Albay.

Typhoon Nina, with international code name Nock-ten, made its first two landfalls in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur on December 25 last year. It continued to batter cities and municipalities in the regions of MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Bicol and Central Visayas in the succeeding days.

Last November, Makati also provided P3.6-million as relief assistance to victims of Super Typhoon Lawin in 18 local government units in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. The City Council on Wednesday also approved the appropriation of P200,000 for the municipality of Sallapadan in Abra, another locality devastated by Lawin.

Among the recipients in Isabela were Ilagan City, Sto. Tomas, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Sta. Maria, Palanan, Dinapigue, Maconacon, Mallig, Quezon, Quirino and Gamu. In Cagayan, financial aid was given to Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Enrile, Solana and Iguig.

Under the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010, the local DRRM Council may transfer funds to support disaster risk reduction work of other LDRRMCs which are declared under a state of calamity, upon the approval of the Sanggunian concerned. 

- Makati Portal

Power restored in five Marinduque towns

Marelco 

STATUS OF POWER RESTORATION IN MARINDUQUE
As of January 11, 2017

May power na sa mga bayan ng Mogpog, Boac, Gasan, Buenavista at Sta Cruz at mga kalapit na barangay na katumbas ng 48% restoration ng buong distribution system. Nasa 34.05% naman ang napapailawan na sa bahagi ng mga kabahayan o 14,071 mula sa kabuuang 41,328 na hinahangad na mapailawan hanggang January 31, 2017.

Sa kasalukuyan po ay sinisikap na ma-energize ang backbone line papunta sa bayan ng Torrijos.

Nakatalaga naman ang Task Force Kapatid sa mga sumusunod na lugar:

BATELEC 1 & 2 - Boac Riverside and Ilaya
TARELCO 1 & 2 - Sta Cruz Poblacion, Lapu-lapu, Lusok, Ipil, Kamandugan, Dating Bayan, Landy hanggang Balogo, Hupi,
San Antonio at Bangcuangan.

PELCO 1 & 2 - Mga Barangay sa Sta Cruz mula Malabon,
Taytay, Masaguisi, Pantayin, Matalaba, Buyabod, Tamayo, Tagum, Alobo, Morales, Angas, Payte at Biga.

ROMELCO at TIELCO - Bayan ng Torrijos papuntang Buangan hanggang Malibago, Dampulan at Makawayan. Sila rin ang gagawa ng Sihi at Timbo sa bayan ng Buenavista . Kasama ang Matuyatuya, Bolo, Pakaskasan, Kay Duke, Suha, Maranlig, Nangka, Bangwayin, Bayakbakin at Payanas.

Ang mga tauhan naman ng Marelco ay nakatalaga sa mga barangay ng Gasan, Mogpog at Buenavista.

Itinalaga ang Task Force mula sa ibang coop sa mga lugar na nabanggit sa itaas dahil sa lawak at laki ng pinsala sa area, at gayundin dahil may dala silang mga kagamitan o equipment na angkop sa ganoong sitwasyon.

Sinisikap po ng Marelco na matupad ang target nito na mapailawan ang buong lalawigan hanggang sa katapusan ng buwan ng Enero, 2017.

                            - PAMUNUAN NG MARELCO

National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong (second from right) was in Marinduque to assure that NEA, DOE and Marelco are on top of the situation in restoring power in the whole province. Seven electric cooperatives from different provinces arrived to help. Cong Lord Allan Velasco (third from right), also congratulated Marelco GM Gaudencio Sol, Jr. for the quick response in fixing the power problem caused by NinaPH.  Photo taken at Casa Emilio in Boac.

Davao adds P3m to 'Nina' aid; 4 Marinduque towns to receive P250,000 each

Before Davao can extend financial aid to calamity-stricken provinces, the areas must declare first that they are under a state of calamity, the councilor said.

Davao adds P3m to ‘Nina’ aid to Luzon

Marinduque after NinaPH. Photo: DSWD

DAVAO CITY—The city government of Davao extended more financial assistance to victims of Typhoon “Nina” in Luzon.

On Tuesday, the 18th City Council approved through suspended rules P3 million in assistance to three provinces devastated by “Nina” last month, to be distributed to towns in Marinduque, Quezon and Batangas provinces.

In Marinduque, the municipalities of Gasan, Mogpog, Boac and Torrijos were declared under a state of calamity due to Typhoon Nina.  Source: NDRRMC

The municipalities of Gasan, Boac, Mogpog and Torrijos in Marinduque will receive P250,000 each, while Quezon and Batangas will each receive P1 million.

In December, the City Council also approved P11 million in assistance to the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Marinduque and Catanduanes. Davao also sent 20,000 food packs to these provinces last year, which were distributed before New Year’s Eve.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the committee on finance, ways and means chairperson, said the office of Mayor Sara Duterte asked to use a portion of Davao’s Quick Response Fund to help the three provinces.

“We receive a letter of urgency from the Mayor’s office for the approval of the additional P3 million financial assistance, for the victims of Typhoon “Nina.” The fund will be coming from the calamity fund of the city for this year,” Dayanghirang said.

Before Davao can extend financial aid to calamity-stricken provinces, the areas must declare first that they are under a state of calamity, the councilor said.

“There were 43,620 families affected by the typhoon or 192,146 individuals. Central 911 Chief Emmanuel Jaldon will deliver the financial aid to the victims,” Dayanghirang said.

“We also authorized Mr. Jaldon to check the condition of the provinces and to monitor that the money will be used for the benefit of the people,” he added. - by F. Pearl A. Gajunera/Manila Standard

Aerial view of Marinduque. Photo: DSWD


Updated Jan 13, 2017 with the following photo courtesy of Jojo Leva:

The Assistant City Administrator of Davao City personally presented to Boac Mayor Roberto Madla the P250,000,00 financial aid of the City of Davao to the victims of Typhoon Nina in Boac.

DA awards P16-M worth of agriculture rehab assistance to Marinduque

The province of Marinduque received P6.3 million worth of agricultural assistance from the Department of Agriculture-MiMaRoPa for the rehabilitation program for both agriculture and fishery industries badly damaged by typhoon Nina. 

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol led the distribution of agricultural goods and marine engines to almost 500 affected farmers and fisherfolk during the stakeholders’ consultation in Boac, Marinduque on January 5, 2017.

“I am amazed by the resilience of the Marinduque people,” Piñol said.

The rehabilitation assistance includes 1,000 bags of certified palay seeds, 50 bags of OPV white corn seeds, 50 bags of ordinary hybrid corn seeds, 40 kilos of assorted vegetable seeds, 30,000 pieces of coffee planting materials, 65,000 pieces of cacao planting materials, 55 heads of upgraded dairy goats (5 heads per municipality and 25 heads for the Provincial Veterinary Office), Php35,326.00 worth of drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry industry (equivalent to 12 bottles of gentamizine,12 bottles of vitamin b complex, 6 bottles of abendaze 1liter each, and 12 boxes of multivitamins), and 50 marine engines and fishing paraphernalia (150 sets of gillnets and 10 units of handline).

P10-M Provincial Lakatan Nursery

The agri chief also announced the establishment of the Provincial Lakatan Nursery amounting to P10 million to propagate the production of banana industry in the province.

“Bibilhin namin ang semilya ng Lakatan dito sa probinsya at palalakihin sa nursery tapos ibabalik at ipapamigay muli namin sa inyo ang mga ito,” Piñol said adding that if the bananas in the province do not suffer any disease then it is better to protect its seedlings for production.

During the consultation Sec. Piñol,  together with DA-MiMaRoPa Regional Executive Director Cipriano Santiago, addressed concerns of farmers and fishers including rampant cases of dynamite fishing in the province and insurance for crops and boats damaged during the onslaught of the typhoon.

He also recommended the creation of the National Cooperative for Farmers and Fisherfolk, which will help in the monitoring of cooperatives in the country.

“This will provide the cooperatives control on the movement of their own goods,” he said.

“We want you to know that whatever you are, we will always be there to address for all your needs,” he added.

Typhoon Nina has damaged a total of 1,431 hectares (ha) of rice areas and 33ha of corn areas.  (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID) - PIA

Also read:

Marinduque suffers in silence by Agriculture Sec Manny Pinol

Marelco: Deredetsong rehabilitasyon sa Marinduque ng mga nasirang linya dahil sa bagyo

Nagtutulungan ngayon ang lahat at nagsusumikap na ma-restore ang kuryente sa buong lalawigan bago matapos ang buwan ng Enero 2017, katulad ng hiniling ng NEA at DOE.

Marelco 

(Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc.)

STATUS OF POWER RESTORATION IN MARINDUQUE
AS OF JANUARY 6, 2017

Patuloy pa rin ang rehabilitation ng mga nasirang linya ng Marelco dahil sa bagyong NINA, at ito ay sabay-sabay na isinasagawa sa anim na bayan ng ating lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng mga tauhan ng Marelco. Prayoridad ang pagsasaayos ng mga nasirang service drop wires upang mapailawan na ang mga kabahayan at iba’t-ibang establisyemento sa poblaciones na 4 na bayan (Boac, Gasan, Buenavista at Mogpog) na may kuryente na. Paghahanda naman para sa pagdating ng kuryente ang layunin ng service dropping na isinasagawa naman ng mga Linemen sa Sta Cruz at Torrijos.

Sa pagdating ng assistance mula sa Central at Southern Luzon sa pamamagitan ng Task Force Kapatid na binubuo ng mga sumusunod:

Pampanga Electric Cooperative I (PELCO I), 5 crew members 
Pampanga Electric Cooperative II (PELCO II), 7 crew members 
Tarlac Electric Cooperative I (TARELCO I), 5 crew members
Tarlac Electric Cooperative II (TARELCO II), 5 crew members 
Batangas Electric Cooperative I (BATELCE I), 6 crew members
Batangas Electric Cooperative II (BATELEC II), 10 crew members 
Romblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO), 12 crew members

Pag-uukulan naman ng prayoridad ang backbone lines papuntang Sta Cruz at Torrijos upang makumpleto na ang restoration sa 6 anim na bayan.

Ang 4 na teams mula sa Central Luzon (PELCO I, PELCO II, TARELCO I, TARELCO II) ay nasa Sta Cruz at ang ROMELCO ay nasa Torrijos at inaasahang sa loob ng 2 araw ay mapaiilawan na ang backbone lines patungong Sta Cruz, gayundin ang patungong Torrijos.

Ang BATELEC I ay naka-assign ngayon sa pagpapailaw sa Riverside, Boac at ang BATELEC II naman ay sa papuntang Balanacan, Mogpog.

Nagtutulungan ngayon ang lahat at nagsusumikap na ma-restore ang kuryente sa buong lalawigan bago matapos ang buwan ng Enero 2017, katulad ng hiniling ng NEA at DOE.

                         - PAMUNUAN NG MARELCO

Marinduque suffers in silence by Agriculture Sec Manny Pinol

"I asked the people of Marinduque to remember January 4, 2017 as the dawning of a new day for a province which is almost forgotten and neglected by the national government.

"That was when I saw women in the crowd cry."

By Manny Piñol 

Boac, Marinduque - This island-province, once known as the Copper Capital of the country and home to the colourful Moriones festival, suffered severely from the devastation of Christmas Day Typhoon Nina with about 21,000 hectares of its agricultural crops destroyed or damaged.

Isolated because of the absence of a direct plane flight from Manila and away from the attention of the national media, not very many people knew of the extent of the devastation in the province.

In fact, I only learned of the sad state of the province through comments made by the followers of this Facebook page in posts about President Rody Duterte's visit to Catanduanes and Camarines Sur on Dec. 27.

On Wednesday, I decided to make a quick trip to Marinduque passing by Lucena City along the way.

The plan was for me to take an Air Force helicopter from Lucena City and fly to the capital town of Boac in Marinduque to meet with local officials and farmers and fishermen who suffered from the typhoon.

I decided to abandon the helicopter ride after the weather forecast gathered by the Philippine Air Force showed that the skies would be dark and there was a 60% probability of rain.

The team of the Department of Agriculture which included two Undersecretaries - Ariel Cayanan for Operations and Eduardo Gongona for Fisheries - the General Manager of the Philippine Fishports Development Authority (PFDA), Glen Pangapalan, Joyce Badiola of the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council, representatives of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) and the support staff took MCS-3010, one of the two vessels owned by the DA-BFAR for a 2.5-hour ride in rough waters to reach Boac.

Scenes of devastation met us as we landed in the beautiful port of Balanacan in Mogpog town.

All the way to Boac, I saw the proofs of the intensity of the typhoon.

Banana farms were totally damaged, coconuts were topped by the strong winds and even the sturdy trees were without leaves.

But I was surprised by the resilience of the people of Marinduque.

When the DA team arrived at the Boac gymnasium where the farmers and fishermen were gathered, women in Filipiniana dress danced and performed the traditional "Pagpuputong" where they offer crowns made of flowers to visitors.

I felt so very uncomfortable with the ceremonies but I did not want to offend the local people so I allowed the ceremonies to continue before I started the consultation.

It was then when the people of Marinduque realised that the DA team was not there for ceremonies but to extend help immediately.

That was when I started to see people clapping their hands and crying.

"The people here are shocked by the quick interventions of the DA. They are not used to this," one woman told Bong Piñol, my brother who is also my head executive assistant.

At the end of the consultations, the BFAR turned over 50 fishing boat engines, fishing nets and fishing lines to fishermen who were affected by the typhoon.

The DA regional office under Director Cipriano Santiago also turned over certificates for rice seeds good for 1,000 hectares, 30,000 coffee seedlings, 63,000 cacao seedlings, 55 heads of dairy goats, veterinary medicines for their farm animals and vegetable seeds.

To rehabilitate the Lacatan banana industry of the province, I committed an initial funding of P10-M to be used in the establishment of a provincial nursery so that farmers will have available planting materials.

Requests for a P200-million farm to market road in Boac, farm tractor, rice thresher and corn mill were also approved. These will be delivered as soon as the government processes for the release of the assistance are completed.

It was my first visit to Marinduque but I promised the people that it would not be my last.

In fact, I told the people of Marinduque that even if the political leadership of the province prevented then Presidential Candidate Rody Duterte from campaigning in the area before the elections, the President has instructed me to reach out and help people in all areas affected by the typhoon.

I asked the people of Marinduque to remember January 4, 2017 as the dawning of a new day for a province which is almost forgotten and neglected by the national government.

That was when I saw women in the crowd cry.

The DA team left at almost 4 p.m. reaching Lucena City shortly after 6 p.m.. a shorter travel time because the sea was calm even when it was raining.

#Changeishere! #PresRodyCares! #DuterteDelivers! #MarinduqueNewBeginning! 

(Photos taken by Al Jacalan, AFID-DA; John Pagaduan and Mayette Tudlas.)

Deceptive mainstream media article on Marinduque relief efforts

It leaves a bad taste in the mouth when mainstream media runs a story and withholds information readily available in the public domain.

The Inquirer today ran an article about what it describes in the subheadline as "squabble among local execs" with the headline,  'Politics taints typhoon relief efforts in Marinduque' 

First, there can be no squabble between Boac Mayor Roberto Madla and Gov. Carmencita Reyes, as they could only be the 'local executives' being referred to, because the issues being raised involved their respective MDRRMC and PDRRMC. They both belong to the Liberal Party.

It all started when Planning Officer Engr. Luna 'Pongkoy' Manrique of the municipal government of Boac posted in his Facebook account what he described as a 'major issue'. (He is also probably the busiest person working day and night as the disaster was unfolding, coordinating relief operations, Manrique is in the front line of the Boac Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) operations.

Expressing disappointment for what turned out was the unexpected diversion to Catanduanes of relief goods coming from the Davao City Council/Mayor Sara Duterte intended for Marinduque which should have been delivered via two C-130 planes, Manrique posted on  Dec. 30:

"Two C-130 full of relief goods from Mayor Sarah Duterte were diverted yesterday due to the incapability of the airport to accommodate the Cargo plane. Here is the text message: "Abort mission na ung relief donation from mayor sara duterte sa marinduque inilipat ng OCD sa catanduanes, cam sur suralbay area. I am raising this as a major concern." - Manrique

The Boac MDRRMC was on its toes 24/7 monitoring Typhoon NinaPH's path and the necessary evacuation, coordination and relief efforts before, during and after the typhoon. Mayor Roberto Madla of this capital town, together with municipal council members, were likewise engaged in providing relief assistance throughout the situation as it developed.

The day before, Manrique posted: "Our airport cannot accommodate the C130, since the minimum requirement is 1,200 meters runway and the only serviceable length is only 1,070. - Manrique's post Dec. 29.

Reporting things as they happen as part of their work, many other related problems are likewise being reported by those concerned so that immediate solutions are made. This cannot be considered "all part of dirty politics" as described in the mentioned mainstream newspaper.

Solution

In view of the problem encountered, based on reports, donations from Davao were then transported by sea to Marinduque on Dec. 31.

Then DSWD encounters relief packs issue

Even DSWD encountered an issue on the same subject of distribution of relief goods, and decided to solve it. DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo prior to her visit to Marinduque on Dec. 30 was prompted to post the following:

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo in her above post (Dec. 30), wondered why according to many reports, she said, not a single family food pack (FFP) could be found in Marinduque when these supplies were already prepositioned even before Typhoon Nina struck. In any case, she stated, additional augmentation has been sent on Dec 28: 5000 ffps, 2000 blankets, 2000 sleeping mats, 200 mosquito nets, 500 solar lamps, 2000 hygiene kits. She also added that she was on her way to Marinduque,

Typhoon victims smile after receiving the DSWD FFP's in Masiga, Gasan

Using same photo taken in Gasan, DSWD posted the above meme on its FB page after the Marinduque visit, translated below:
("It is strictly forbidden for local officials to repack the contents of the DSWD food packs . In such instance, you may report to us or to 8888 the incident including photos or any proof of the irregularity you saw." - Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo)

Upon Sec. Taguiwalo's arrival she and her team met with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, local DSWD officials, local officials including the Boac Mayor, civil society representatives and volunteer groups involved in relief operations. She later visited a barangay in typhoon-hit Gasan to meet with some typhoon victims.

Lack of organization and structure, Data gathering & Reporting and the PDRRMC

The following self-explanatory post from a certain volunteer, Blair Dimaano who was in the meeting gives us a glimpse of what transpired:

Excerpts:

Dec 30, 2016 Office of the Governor

Update re. Relief operations in the whole province of Marinduque with Sec Judy Taguiwalo (DSWD) and other DSWD officials, local leaders, representatives from NGOs, other civic organizations and volunteer groups.

I took advantage of the opportunity to share key observations about how LGUs and other government agencies are handling/managing relief operations in the entire province of Marinduque. This is based from my own experience and feedback of other private individuals who are silently tapping and mobilizing their resources to facilitate speedy help for affected Marinduqueños.

Some points that I raised:

LACK OF ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE - who does what (lahat minions) Malabo ngayon kasi halos lahat ng top officials ay wala sa Marinduque when the disaster happened. 

Hinimok ko sila na balikan at ilatag muli ang structure, programs at process na may kaugnayan sa kalamidad.

DATA GATHERING & REPORTING - it's already day 5 at wala pa ding accurate na report ang napapadala sa NDRRMC (kung Hindi pa dumating si Sec Judy hindi pa makakapagproduce ng maayos na report ang PDRRMC) sa panahon ng Krisis, napakakritikal ng data. Tapos magatanong kayo Kung nasaan ang tulong. Malamang wala o kulang kasi hindi alam Kung anong basehan. Hindi naman malagpak mula sa langit ang bigas at sardinas at bahala na Kung sino ang makakasalo.

One wonders what good it would do to deny these social media posts made by responsible people whose only goal was obviously to help and identify problems they encounter along the way to be able to help and deliver their needed services in such a trying time. 

Dismissing these Facebook posts as "all part of dirty politics" is probably the height of deceit.

More relief goods (15,000 food packs, in 9 trucks) arrive today following DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo's visit, for delivery to the six municipalities.

The Inquirer's curious story published today, Jan. 5, 2017:

Subheadline on 'squabble on local execs' untrue, as well as headline untrue.

NinaPH and Robredo's 'cynical political mindset capitalizing on disaster'

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella - on Vice President Leni Robredo’s statement that relief operations in Typhoon Nina-hit areas ‘slow’:

The remark Ms. Robredo made saying that the relief operations were “slow” suggests a cynical political mindset willing to capitalize on disaster. One wished she displayed more appreciation of the work of our disaster officials, our social workers, and other volunteers who were on Ground Zero even before Nina made a landfall.

As of January 4, a total of P182,473,574 worth of relief assistance has been provided to affected families in Regions CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V & VIII, including those who were stranded in various ports in Regions V and VIII. The DSWD provided assistance worth P166,976,473 while LGUs and non-government organizations (NGOs) provided a total of P4,225,832 and P11,271,270, respectively.

The Department of Energy (DOE) with support from local government units and private institutions, on one hand, has brought back electricity to priority areas in Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions before New Year. For transmission facilities in the on-grid area, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), after deploying 500 technical personnel, reported that as of December 31, the Naga-Daraga 230 kV line and the Naga-Pili-Iriga line have been restored servicing the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur. Full restoration of NGCP transmission services in typhoon Nina-affected areas is expected today.

Mayor Sara Duterte wants to give fund to typhoon-hit Marinduque

Mayor Sara Duterte, the President's daughter

By Yas D. Ocampo, Mindanao Times

MAYOR Sara Duterte-Carpio will be requesting the city council for authority to release financial aid to typhoon-struck Marinduque, which was belatedly declared to be placed under  a state of calamity, the City Information Office said in a statement.

The financial aid, the amount of which is still unannounced, is expected to be approved once the city council resumes its regular session next week, said the mayor’s Chief of Staff Raul Nadela, Jr.

Marinduque, an island province, was not included among the places that the city government earlier allocated P11 million.

The city government released P11 million in financial aids to the victims of Typhoon Nina in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and Mindoro last week.

The cash assistance was taken out from the city’s calamity fund.

The city government also distributed more 20,000 food packs to the areas devastated by the typhoon.

Emmanuel Jaldon, the chief of the city’s Central 911, said two more batches of food packs will be airlifted to Bicol anytime this week.

Duterte-Carpio has earlier expressed sympathy to the victims of Nina, a super typhoon that hit the country last Christmas. “The Dabawenyos extend our deepest sympathy to everyone affected by the devastation left by Typhoon Nina,” she said.

“Davao City is no stranger to calamities and we understand the distress that the victims of Typhoon Nina are going through this time,” she added.

Also read:

Marinduque trail of destruction left behind by supertyphoon NinaPH

'Nina’ damage to Marinduque at P1B; calamity declared; relief goods for Marinduque diverted to Catanduanes

Marinduque now under state of calamity

Typhoon Nina Nightmare sa Marinduque

Marinduque trail of destruction left behind by supertyphoon NinaPH

A view in Sta. Cruz. Photo: Doc Ninia Rodil

One does not need to exaggerate figures or engage in a listing of apparently padded numbers to convey the gravity of destruction left behind by Typhoon NinaPH (Nock-Ten) in the island-province of Marinduque. Basic facts need only to be stated, yes?

First, Typhoon Signal No. 3 then No. 4* was raised here when NinaPh made a landfall right in Torrijos, Marinduque (the 4th landfall after hitting Bato (Catanduanes), Sagnay (Camarines Sur), and San Andres (Quezon), on December 26, 2019 at 4:30 am.

On the very same day three provinces in Region V were immediately placed under a state of calamity by their respective provincial governments, namely Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Sur. The City of Calapan followed suit.

Calabarzon province of Batangas also declared a state of calamity on Dec. 27, with Quezon Province doing the same on Dec. 28.

View of Buenavista. Photo: Nanette Privado

In the afternoon of December 28, Marinduque's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) presented its report to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. This was made the basis for the province's state of calamity declaration same day.

The report was impressive: 52,000 families affected, it stated; with P 1,530,275.775.00 (P1.5-BILLION) in damages to Agriculture and P124.1-million in Infrastructure damages. The declaration was, however, followed by social media chatter, some criticizing the delay in issuing such a declaration ('calamitous delay', that may have caused the almost non-mention of Marinduque in media reports some say), others questioning the correctness of the figures.

The typhoon has exited the Philippines five days ago, local government units in Marinduque at once pooled all available resources for relief operations for the typhoon victims. This, alongside numerous groups feeling duty-bound to respond by distributing relief goods to as many barangays as they could reach. Up to the present, including the populated smaller islands.

Photo: Armop Valenzuela Roldan/TEAM VELASCO

Where do we go from here

'Where do we go from here?' must be the most frequently asked question of Marinduquenos these days. The horrible impact of the Christmas typhoon in the minds of the victims will be told and retold for sometime after all.

We will have to start by assessing the damages with realistic data, hard facts, that would allow us to move responsibly from there. The task of rebuilding at the soonest possible time may be so formidable indeed, but not impossible.

Photo: Ed Ancheta/REACT

As of today, January 2, 2017 (Happy New Year!), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that has received and collated all official information about this disaster reports:

That with respect to Infrasructure the entire CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Region V's cost of damages was P. 1,053,233,895.00. (Infrastructure as used here includes roads, bridges, river control, health and school facilities).

Cost of damages to Agriculture that includes crops, livelihoods, fisheries, fruit trees and vegetables for the said three regions totals: P 4,130,760,222.35.

Photo: Raoul Jogno Magcamit/Diocese of Boac/MACEC

MIMAROPA INFRASTRUCTURE (Roads and Bridges): P 47.2-million; (Flood Control): P186-million; (Health Facilities): P. 25-million)

MARINDUQUE: 

Damage to roads and bridges: P 18,950,000.00 
(For Or. Mindoro: P 17.7-million; for Occ. Mindoro: P 10.5-million)

Damage to flood control: P 16.3-million (For Mindoro: 150-million; Occ. Mindoro: P 19.7-million)

Damage to health facilities: P. 25-million (For Or. Mindoro: P 50-million; For Occ. Mindoro: no figures)

Silangan Elementary School, Mogpog. Photo: Kagawad Richard

Damage to other structures:
Schools: P. 26.8-million
Government: P 7.6-million
Markets/Church: P 675,000.00
(For Or. Mindoro: Schools: P. 1.3-million, Government: P4.7-million; Church P 71,000.00; For Occ. Mindoro: Schools: P 550,000.00 Government: P2.1-million; Church: 150,000.00)

MIMAROPA AGRICULTURE: CROPS (Rice, Corn, Cassava): P 13.8-million; Livestocks: P 676,700.00; HVCC (Mango, Banana, Papaya, Vegetables): P 38.2-million; Fisheries: P 84.5-million.

MARINDUQUE AGRICULTURE:
Crops (Rice): P 87,400.00; (Corn): P 567,500.00 (For Or. Mindoro: Rice: P 3.1-million; Corn: no figures; For Occ. Mindoro: Rice: P 9.9-million)

Livestocks: P 612,000.00 (For Or. Mindoro: P 12,000.00;  Occ. Mindoro: no figures

Photo: Jing-jing Garcia Loto/Boac Municipal Govt

HVCC (Mango, Banana, Papaya, Vegetables) P. 37.5-million (Or. Mindoro: No figures; Occ. Mindoro: P 804,000.00)

Fisheries: P 565,000.00 (For Or. Mindoro: P 83.9-million; Occ. Mindoro: no figures)

Typhoon NinaPH Cost of Damages as of today Jan. 2, 2017. Infrastructure + Agriculture. Source: NDRRMC

MARINDUQUE TOTAL COST (Infrastructure + Agriculture): P 134.7-million
(For Or. Mindoro: P 261-million; For Occidental Mindoro: P 43.8-million. These figures, of course, are expected to go higher).

Photo: Dahlia Nunez Ituralde

DAMAGED HOUSES

With respect to houses, Marinduque had a total of 5,848 totally damaged houses; 27,676 partially damaged houses for a total of 33,524.

(Oriental Mindoro suffered 2,530 totally damaged houses; 9,387 partially damaged houses for a total of 11,917. Occidental Mindoro had 2,530 totally damaged houses and 9,387 partially damaged houses for a total of 11,917.)

                                                                        Totally Damaged:    Partially Damaged:    Total:

For further comparison, the Region V province of Camarines Sur had 38,240 totally damaged houses; 76,344 partially damaged houses for a total of 114,584. Catanduanes had 7,415 totally damaged houses; 19,631 partially damaged houses for a total of 27,046.

Casualties

There were reports of casualty/casualties in Marinduque but the NDRCC records show only 2 casualties in MIMAROPA where two boys from Brgy. Socorro, Or. Mindoro were carried away by strong river current.

Photo: Doc Ninia Rodil, Club Marinduqueno, Inc

What about the number of families and persons affected?

Based on reports from the 218 Barangays and their corresponding 6 Municipalities the number of families affected in Marinduque was 36,031 and total number of persons affected was 180,155. These represents some 77% of the population of Marinduque (Pop: 234,521 as of 2015), whose houses were totally or partially damaged.

Photo: Sherwin Catera/MATA Partylist

Photo: Sec. Judy Taguiwalo/DSWD

Back to truth

So, it should be back to getting real. Back to thinking about more credible sound bites, or not thinking of such at all but just stating things plainly, honestly. Lest claims and figures coming from official sources in this so devastated and victimized island-province may become suspect. Again. 

Marinduquenos need all the felp, please! Felp!

(* Signal No. 4 according to FB posts. No confirmation from PAGASA , however).