Diocese of Virac Social Action Foundation,Inc.

SUBJECT: Catanduanes Provincial Disaster Status and General Framework Plan for
Rehabilitation Assistance

FROM: Rev. Fr. Laudemer Jose A. Gapaz
Diocese of Virac Social Action Foundation,Inc.

May we update you of what the present situation now in Catanduanes province as a consequence of the massive destruction brought about by super typhoon REMING as well as what the DVSAFI is doing and our plans for the future in partnership with local, national and international institutions involved in relief and rehabilitation programs.

The section on resource requirements is our general framework of rehabilitation initiatives and will have to be worked out in detail with concerned institutions and end-beneficiaries consistent with the principles of participatory and empowering development.

A. Disaster Update:

Super Typhoon Reming (DURIAN) is a lot stronger than the last major typhoon that hit Catanduanes in 1998- Typhoon Loleng, has wrought damages to crops and properties due to very strong winds and heavy rains. The strength of the typhoon was measured from 290 kph up to320 km per hour. Although the storm was the strongest so far that hit the province, loss of life was minimal since it came during daytime when people are able to flee to safe shelters and given their time-tested experience to withstand strong typhoons. Number of confirmed death is 16. Nevertheless, one life lost is far too many to their relatives and friends.

Of the destroyed private residential houses, the PDCC reported, 23,648 partially-damaged houses and 15,920 were totally damaged. As of this report, there are still families living in temporary makeshift shelters because of the difficulty to rebuild their houses. When rains come they just have to make do of whatever they have to shelter them and their meager resources from getting wet. There is a need for at least tarpaulins as temporary shelters for those who do not have the financial ability to rebuild their homes.

Damage to crops is extensive. Coconut, rice, fruit trees and abaca plantation were severely damaged. Damages to crops had been estimated to reach 48 million pesos believed to be a very conservative estimate. We have to consider also the livestock and fishery sectors.

Electrical, water and phone utilities are only partially restored in the capital town of Virac.
Mobile telephone services, though, are fully operational except for Baras, Gigmoto and San Miguel.

Highway network to Virac from all municipalities are passable except when heavy rain pours causing landslide and mudflows.


B. Status of Relief Operation:

At present, DVSAFI has ceased the relief operation. The relief operation was concentrated in several parishes particularly in parishes in the eastern towns of the province. Foodstuff, clothing, kitchen wares and purified drinking water were distributed. This was done in coordination with our parish network of volunteers and with the local government units.

As of today we have received and distributed relief goods from several institutions and groups:

1. 350 bags of rice from NASSA
2. 50 boxes of 1.8kg/can of infant formula (300 cans) – SHELMED Corp.
3. one truckload of assorted used clothing and food items from the Diocese of Baguio and Phil. Military Academy
4. relief items of foodstuff and purified drinking water from www.gobicol.com and Rotary Club of Manila South
5. 17 sacks with food packages and medicines from REGINA CARMELI University (Malolos, Bulacan)
6. 15 boxes of assorted items from Pioneer Highlands North Condo Corp.
7. 2 truckloads of assorted relief goods, food items, used clothing, kitchen wares from the Cathedral Parish of Paranaque + 150,000.00 pesos
8. 223 sacks of food package from CARITAS-Manila + 250,000.00 pesos
9. assorted food items from Immaculate Conception School
10. assorted relief items from Phil. Air Force c/o Capt. Sharon Suico
11. 100,000.00 pesos worth of relief goods from Coalition for Bicol Devt. (CBD)
12. 1000 pieces of tarpaulin for temporary shelter through the efforts of former Sen. Kit Tatad

We are awaiting a shipment of 270,000 meals consisting of 43,000 plastic bags (6meals/bag) worth $50,000.00 from FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN, a USA-based NGO. It will arrive probably February 12, 2007 in Manila.

A medical/dental mission was conducted on January 12-13, 2007 at Cabcab, San Andres and Baras Catanduanes sponsored by the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission Inc., based in San Dionisio, Paranaque City.

Cash Donation as of January 16, 2007 = PhP 1,709,689.48
US$ 200.00
Cnd $ 1,120.

Donors: Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines, Vicariate of Basilan Social Devt. Foundation, Richard Revelar, Bong Arcilla, Alfonso Vargas, Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Clergy of Lingayen-Dagupan, Remund Abundo & fam., CARITAS-Manila, Atty. Charles Escolin, F.F. Cruz International Mfg. Inc., Concerned Filipinos (Milan, Italy), Concerned Individuals from UAE c/o Mar-Agnes Tabuzo, Anthony Noel Tresvalles, Roberto&Rebecca Vergara, Vic&Tonette Alvis, Mila O. Villar, St. Andrew Cathedral Parish, St. James Parish in Ayala Alabang, Msgr. Biboy Figura, Catanduanes International Assn.- Chicago, Mr. Ephraim Genuino, Filipino Seniors of Victoria, BC, El Shaddai in Victoria & Vancouver, BC, Mr. & Mrs. Emil Alegre, Mr. Fred & Ludy Thielen, Vienna International Center Filipino Club, Richard Revelar (additional), ICA Alumni-Manila Group c/o Fil Santa Ana, Coast Guard Auxiliaries c/o Cesar Sarmiento, RGC Employees Savings & Loans Assn. c/o Robert Agustin

We received pledges of financial assistance from fellow Catandunganons and Bicol Associations in the USA & Australia and the Middle East and from other dioceses and parishes outside the province.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary in Alberta Canada gave a grant of P 421, 407.00 to finance 5 or 6 units of concrete 4x4 core shelter. One core shelter is estimated to cost at P72,000.00/unit.

CARITAS –Manila has signified to assist in helping build core shelter for 20 families.

C. Resource Requirements:

In view of the magnitude of the problems faced by the marginalized families in our typhoon ravaged province, the DVSAFI identified three initiatives where it can contribute to the rehabilitation and development of the province.

1. With the extensive and massive damages brought by the typhoon to residential houses, shelter assistance is an immediate need. The proposal is to grant a concrete shelter to those not being served by the government and other agencies. This will be called SHELTER REHAB PROJECT. This type of project was already implemented by the diocese during the rehabilitation of the province after the onslaught of Typhoons Loleng and Dindo. Our rehab project was a success. The shelter we provided to our beneficiaries withstood the onslaught of the very strong winds brought by the super typhoon. Not one of the concrete shelters we provided were damaged albeit served as safe refuge to several families. We were able to build 165 units scattered in the province. We are targeting to assist 70 families build their shelter. Estimated cost of one concrete 4x4 concrete shelter: P 72,000.00.


A project proposal for this purpose was submitted to CARITAS-Manila and Assisi Foundation and to several Metro-Manila based parishes. Filipino-Chinese Catholic Ladies Assn. in Virac promised to assist 2 families.

2. We will also assist our basic faith communities and other parish-based groups in the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector. The Diocese of Virac Social Action Foundation in partnership with the Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PASO) of the Dept. of Agriculture aims at developing commercially the local cassava industry in the province. This initiative will help establish a sustainable income generating project with popular participation from marginalized households and to develop cassava production in commercial scale through the optional utilization of idle and marginally productive lands and to process produce into cassava chips.

We need to rehabilitate the existing sustainable agriculture program in palay production in the towns of Bato and Virac. There is a need to replicate this program in the municipalities of San Andres and Baras. This program was started after the 1998 typhoon that devastated the agricultural sector in the province. This project is jointly funded by NASSA, the local government of Bato and the DVSAFI that aims to continue the basic faith community organizing and strengthening the bonding of this neighborhood farmers, so that inspired by their Christian faith, they might be able to initiate social, political and economic changes towards total human development. The program aims also to provide the farmers with environment friendly farming technology, inputs, equipments and facilities that will ensure a rich harvest production and market of their products.

In cooperation with the Fiber Development Authority (FIDA) we will also assist in the rehab of the abaca farming sectors.

A project proposal for these initiatives purpose was submitted to NASSA and Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF). The cash donation of P150,000.00 of St. Andrew Cathedral Parish was specifically intended for the livelihood projects of our poor farmers.

3. We will also intensify our WADE (Women of Asia for Development & Enterprise) Program. In October 1998, after the devastating typhoon Loleng hit our province that aggravated the worsening economic situation of our poor families. As a result, we had a high incident of students dropping out of school due to financial difficulties. Their parents could no longer afford to spend for their tuition fees and other school related expenses. And worst, we found out that many women college students, especially graduating students, indulged in “flesh trade” just to be able to finish their studies. With this demeaning situation happening to innocent young women, we came up with our women bridging fund initiative.


The program supports the food/traveling allowances and boarding fees of the students. The program is not a scholarship grant but a help-mechanism to provide whatever need each student requires in order for her to graduate and not to resort to any unchristian and dehumanizing means.

Many students have approached us asking about the WADE program after the recent typhoon. We will coordinate as usual with Campus Ministry Team of our Diocesan Youth Commission to select the student-beneficiaries.

We will allocate a portion of our cash receipts to augment the dwindling resources of this program.

D. Other Capacity Building Possibilities:

a. potable water and sanitary toilets
b. community based health
c. community disaster awareness and preparedness and community mobilization
d. coordination skills, Emergency Relief and reducing Risk

E. Role of Partner Institutions in our Rehab Plans:

DVSAFI’s partners shall be requested to manifest their support in these rehab initiatives. Local communities shall be conscientisized to become partners and owners of these initiatives. Local counterparting shall be made an over-all strategy, as stakes in the development efforts. This is to erase from the minds of our people the so-called “dole-out mentality.”

Technical agencies whether government and non-government shall be made to commit to these initiatives. DVSAFI’s track record and credibility is an assurance that it is really serious in embarking and finishing these programs.

International agencies shall be requested to assist either thru technology transfer, software development, funding and/or implementation management.

Updated report: January 19, 2007