Ondoy Heroes

Alternative to relief goods in plastic: binalot!

2009-10-13T01:00:00.000+08:00

Plastic clogged the drains, relief goods in plastic will clog the drains even more. The Acacia Waldorf school in Sta.Rosa, Laguna shows us an alternative: packing relief goods (food/meals in particular) using good old banana leaves...

Photo from Dale Diaz shows 500 meals of rice, tuyo and hardboiled egg in "green" packaging.

Other alternatives (taken from calls of help from We Philippines as reposted on facebook): used (but still usable!) blankets, bedsheets, pillow cases, towels, curtains and tablecloths to pack goods with.

Lifesaver bottle: using nanotechnology to make filthy water potable

2009-10-12T00:28:00.001+08:00

First heard about this revolutionary invention that lets people drink filthy floodwater from my dad. Was super excited to read about an initiative by The Clean Water Project to bring the Lifesaver bottle to the Philippines:

The Clean Water Project aims to transform the deadly floodwaters of Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) into life giving, pure drinking water. It is a collaboration among old friends who are committed to doing whatever we can do, and work for as long as there is work to be done.

Inventor Michael Pritchard explains how this works:

LIFESAVER bottle removes all micro-biological contamination from water.

LIFESAVER bottle has been thoroughly tested by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showing that even the smallest of viruses were removed. Download the LSHTM laboratory test results HERE.

The smallest bacteria measures 200NM (nanometres) whilst the smallest virus measures about 25 nanometres. The ultra filtration membranes in the LIFESAVER Ultra-Filtration cartridge have pore sizes of only 15 nanometres, this means that no contamination can pass through into the drinking water.

The pump creates pressure within the bottle which forces water through the membranes leaving the dirt and contamination on the other side of the membranes.

Here's a 10-minute video with Michael Pritchard from TED.com (filmed during the most recent TED Global last July 2009):

Shorter demo video from the BBC here:

More info on the Lifesaver website, where donations for Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) victims are also accepted.

Behind The Clean Water Project are two Pinays: Tish Vallés, a strategic planner, advocate and social entrepreneur based in New York, and Denise Celdran, an artist, environmentalist and advocate. They say that the British manufacturer has "kindly offered a 35% discount on the bottles for relief efforts. For the $100.00 each Lifesaver bottle costs, we will help provide from 4,000 - 6,000 liters of safe drinking water. That is from $0.016 - $0.25 per liter!"

Although help is welcome from all aspects,

We are also very collaborative, and welcome like-minded action-oriented groups and individuals to participate in this project. Please email tish@strategicstiletto.com to start a discussion.

the urgent need is funding, which can be done through paypal, cash or cheque donations. Visit the donation page or email cleanwaterfund@gmail.com for arrangements.

Found through Panjee Tapales (thanks!), who says that the Lifesaver jerrycans, which can "process up to 20,000 litres of clean sterile drinking water without the aid of chemicals," are also coming in December!

Let's spread the word and help getting this initiative going!

MIT course on Hurricane Katrina

2009-10-11T22:57:00.000+08:00

Stumbled upon a great treasure chest the other day: Open courseware of MIT lectures FOR FREE!!! Imagine having access to some of the best and most innovative classes on anything from Aeronautics and Astronautics to Architecture to Civil and Environmental Engineering!

Here's one that might be of use to us in the rebuilding efforts post-Ondoy and Pepeng: Katrina Practicum (Spring 2006), a course offered by the Urban Studies and Planning department.

Course description says:

In the wake of Katrina the entire gulf coast is embroiled in a struggle over what constitutes "appropriate" rebuilding and redevelopment efforts. This practicum will engage students in a set of work groups designed to assist local community based institutions and people in shaping the policy and practices that will guide the redevelopment and rebuilding efforts in the city of New Orleans.

View lecture notes, course syllabus, and other materials here.

Latest news on Ondoy (and Pepeng)

2009-10-11T21:52:00.000+08:00

Yahoo News has a page that gives full coverage of Typhoon Ondoy (and Pepeng). Updates in the last 5 days as follows:

Philippines speeds up relief in typhoon-hit north
Reuters - Monday, October 12 MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines shifted its efforts on Sunday to sending relief in northern provinces devastated by floods and cut off by landslides as the death toll and damages from two typhoons this month rose to art least 530.
MMDA hires residents affected by floods
Philstar.com - Monday, October 12 MANILA, Philippines - To help in the ongoing clean-up drive in Marikina City and other areas hit by tropical storm "Ondoy," the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has employed more than 100 persons through its mobile recruitment program.
Report: Rice at P60/kg, fuel stock runs low in Baguio City
GMANews.TV - Sunday, October 11 Rice sold for up to P60 per kilo while gasoline stations and stores ran low on supplies as Baguio City has remained virtually cut off in the wake of typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma).
Nograles: House may OK P10-B additional calamity on Monday
ABS-CBN - Sunday, October 11 MANILA - House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. on Sunday said that the House Committee on Appropriations has approved a joint resolution to allocate an additional P10 billion to calamity funds which have already been depleted caused by tropical storm Ondoy, typhoon Pepeng, and other weather disturbances that have hit the country so far.
Cyclones postpone voter registration in ARMM
GMANews.TV - Sunday, October 11 The devastation caused by recent cyclones "Ondoy" (Ketsana) and "Pepeng" (Parma) have forced the postponement of registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by a week.
Philippine floods recede but death, damage tolls mount
AFP - Saturday, October 10 Floodwaters from tropical storm Parma receded in much of the northern Philippines on Saturday but the toll from heavy rain rose further as more bodies were recovered, officials said.
State of calamity lifted in Visayas, Mindanao
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 Malacañang lifted on Saturday the state of calamity in the Visayas and Mindanao but stressed that it will remain in effect in Luzon, possibly until the end of the year due to massive destruction in the area due to widespread flooding and landslides.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde announced over government-run radio station DZRB that President Arroyo lifted the state of calamity in the Visayas and Mindanao effective Saturday.

This, he said, was upon the recommendations of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chairman Gilbert Teodoro, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila, and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap following a meeting in Malacañang last Friday.

"This decision is based on the obvious absence of bad weather in those regions, as well as the President's determination that it is no longer necessary to maintain price ceilings nationwide in order to ensure the effectiveness of price ceilings for the protection of calamity victims in Luzon," Remonde announced.

"The state of calamity will remain in place for the time being for the rest of Luzon as it is still subject to the problems brought about by typhoon 'Pepeng'," he said.

Remonde stressed that the state of calamity in Luzon is "subject to constant review by the President based on weather developments, the stability of price ceilings, the speed of rehabilitation efforts, and other changes in conditions on the ground."

"May I remind everyone again that whereas the state of calamity has a nominal term of one year, the price ceilings are fixed for a period not more than 60 days only," he said.

Remonde said the state of calamity in Luzon "is not going to last a year," adding that it may take only up to December if typhoons will spare Luzon.
Manila Bulletin Fund Drive to help Tropical Storm Ondoy Victims now totals P5,520,808.48.
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 The following is the list of concerned Donors and Amounts received by Manila Bulletin as of Saturday, October 10, 2009, totalling P181,267.28.
Massive floods hit 21 Southern Negros villages
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 ILOILO CITY (PNA) - A total of 21 barangays in five municipalities in Southern Negros Occidental have been flooded as a result of continuous rains spawned by the Fujiwara effect of Typhoon Pepeng.

A report reaching here from the Provincial Disaster Management Team (PDMT) in Negros revealed that the massive onslaught of floods has affected some 2,405 families composed of 11,721 persons.

The Negros PDMT said 105 families are presently housed in various designated evacuation centers in the local government units (LGUs) hit by floods.

The PDMT said Valladolid municipality has the most number of displaced families with 565 people living in four barangays submerged by floodwaters; Isabela town with two barangays was also affected with 143 displaced families; even as flloods in Sipalay City hit six barangays, displacing 648 families.

Massive floods have also rendered eight barangays in Ilog town, but the local disaster council has yet to consolidate the number of displaced families there.

In the southernmost town of Hinoba-an, a lone barangay was similarly inundated, forcing the evacuation of four families to higher ground for their safety.

The respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of affected local government units and the provincial government of Negros Occidental have already extended emergency relief and food assistance to evacuees.
State of calamity lifted over much of Philippines
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 MANILA, October 10, 2009 (AFP) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lifted the "state of calamity" imposed due to the menace of two destructive storms over the central and southern Philippines a week ago, her spokesman said Saturday.

But Arroyo is maintaining the state of calamity over the main Philippine island of Luzon which bore the brunt of Tropical Storm Ketsana (locally named as "Ondoy") and Typhoon Parma (locally named "Pepeng") over the past two weeks, said spokesman Cerge Remonde.

The order effectively lifts price controls over the central islands of the Visayas and the southern island of Mindanao and their surroundings which were untouched by the storms, he said.

Arroyo had earlier placed the capital and its surroundings under a state of calamity on September 27 after Ketsana struck, bringing the worst flooding to the areas in four decades.

She expanded this to the entire country on October 2 as Typhoon Parma approached the north.

"This decision is based on the obvious absence of bad weather in (central and southern) regions as well as the president's determination that it is no longer necessary to maintain price ceilings nationwide," Remonde said.

Under a state of calamity, government agencies are allowed to tap special funds and price controls can be imposed on essential items like food and medicine.

Manila had justified the declaration of a nationwide state of calamity as a way to ensure traders would not take their goods from areas covered by price controls to sell them elsewhere.

Remonde said that the state of calamity, including the price controls, would remain in place in Luzon at least until December.

Over 600 people were killed by the two storms that have devastated farmland, homes and factories in Manila and the northern regions.
Six persons arrested for illegal recruitment
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 Vice President Manuel "Noli" De Castro on Saturday announced the arrest of six persons for illegal recruitment during an entrapment operation in Manila recently.

De Castro, who is also chairman of Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR), said the suspects were collared based on the complaint of a certain Ryan Barreto, an overseas job applicant.

The Vice President identified those who were nabbed as Carmela Liong, Gilda Camasura, Ginny De Jesus, Jimmy De Jesus, Edwin Ondoy, and Rodolfo Malenas of the GMC Consultancy, a recruitment agency in Malate.

In his complaint, Barreto said Liong promised him a high paying job abroad in exchange for a huge sum of money.
More flooding feared
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 If the rains continue to pour in Laguna de Bay, 192 more barangays will be submerged in water, leaving more than a million residents affected, the Laguna Lake Development Authority warned on Friday.

LLDA General Manager Edgardo Manda said his agency already sent letters to mayors of affected cities and provinces, advising them to have their constituents evacuated as the water level of Laguna de Bay is expected to rise following the rains brought by typhoon "Pepeng," which has been battering the Northern Luzon.

"If these rains continue and the lake hit the 14 meter-high water level, 192 more barangays will be under water," he warned in a press conference in Malacañang's National Executive Building (NEB).

He said it will take 144 days before the water level in Laguna de Bay, which is now at 11.5 meters high, recedes.

The LLDA said they have been constantly reminding the residents near the bay to find halfway houses since the flood in their areas continues to rise because of the rains.

He noted that the waning signs have been installed since August 15.

"We have been advising them to move out and we also asked the local executives to make contingency plans since these waters will remain until three months or December," Manda said. (Charissa M. Luci)
Permanent disaster control plan pressed
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered on Saturday all local officials, especially in calamity-stricken areas, to map out permanent disaster control and rescue plans following the devastations left by tropical storm "Ondoy" in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and typhoon "Pepeng" in Northern Luzon.

"They were given one week to prepare and submit the rescue plans.
Foreign aid reaches over P4-billion
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said humanitarian assistance from the international community has reached more than P4 billion.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo reported to President Arroyo that the financial donations for "Ondoy" victims have reached a total amount of US $94,703,203 (approximately P4,418,472,639) as of October 8.

Of the total amount, $14.51 million came from bilateral partners; $3.64 million, multilateral/regional organizations; $76 million, international organizations; $158,505, foreign non-government organizations; $62,842, Filipino communities abroad; $10,082, DFA personnel at various at posts, $18,416, private individuals and $ 258,186 from other sources.

"The increase in assistance from bilateral partners, Filipino communities abroad and private individuals/others has since doubled.
Palace seeks review of environmental laws
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 In the wake of heavy flooding and landslides in Northern Luzon, Malacañang called on Saturday for a review of environmental laws, including policies on mining and logging.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde certified as urgent the review of the laws, which he said, should be enforced strictly and firmly to protect the environment and people's lives.

He said the Palace is "definitely" bent on reviewing policies on logging and mining after landslides and flooding were recorded in several provinces battered by typhoon "Pepeng."

"These are some of the painful lessons... we have learned and we should ensure stricter and firmer implementation of the laws related to environment and regulations that tend to affect the safety of these areas," he said.

Earlier, Malacañang also ordered the Department of Environment of Natural Resources (DENR) to review the issuance of environmental compliance certificates in flood-prone areas after several subdivisions in Metro Manila submerged in water during the onslaught of tropical storm "Ondoy" last week.
Pateros taps PayPal for donations
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 The Municipality of Pateros, the poorest local government unit in Metro Manila, has gone the way of electronic commerce (E-commerce) in raising aid for its flood-stricken constituents.

Earlier this week, Pateros began accepting cash donations online through its very own PayPal account.

"Municipality of Pateros is temporarily allowing overseas donors to send donations via PayPal," a link in the town's website read.

PayPal is an electronic alternative to traditional payment methods such as checks and money orders, allowing money transfers to be made through the Internet.

As of Thursday, the municipal government reported that it has received six online cash donations worth roughly an accumulated P35,000.

The Paypal donors so far are Gerald Blair of Illinois, $300; Fahran Boayes, of Carson, California, $14; Maryjane Ocampo, $20; Maria Fe Medina, $250; Cedric Barrera, $100 and Edna Medina Schober, $100, all of Ontario, Canada.

Pateros' website also lists nearly 200 local donors comprising of individuals and groups who gave their aid in the form of money, food items, clothes, and medicine.

"The Municipality of Pateros deeply appreciates the assistance from various individuals and organizations for the affected families by typhoon Ondoy," Mayor Joey Medina said.

The lone municipality in Metro Manila, Pateros has a population of fewer than 100,000. Its 2009 budget amounted to P125 million, 10 percent of which was allocated as calamity fund.

That calamity fund was quickly used up as Ondoy left practically the entire town submerged in floodwater, displacing some 4,500 families.

Flood has persisted in six of the 10 barangays of the municipality, namely Sta.
Pasig crime rate drops after deluge
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, October 10 The chief of the Pasig City Police Office said the crime rate in the city has been relatively low after tropical storm "Ondoy" struck the country last September 26.

In an interview, Senior Supt.
Floods, mudslides kill 130
Philstar.com - Saturday, October 10

Pacman mulls going to US earlier
ABS-CBN - Saturday, October 10 MANILA --Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao might go to US ahead of schedule to continue his training as continued rains brought by Typhoon Pepeng are starting to affect preparations for his November 14 fight.
Urban planning review set
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 With the loads of garbage blamed for the widespread flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, Malacañang has proposed heavier penalties for people who throw their waste in waterways and canals.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde cited the need for proper solid waste management as part of the planned review of the urban planning for Metro Manila to prevent a repeat of the destruction caused by tropical storm "Ondoy."

"There should also be stronger penalties for those who mindlessly throw their rubbish, plastic included, in already choking urban waterways, canals, and the drainage outlets in the burgeoning metropolis," Remonde said.

"The devastation inflicted by Ondoy in Metro Manila suggests the urgency of re-planning for Metro Manila, the country's overly populated industrial and education bosom," he said.

"We will have to plan anew based on very disturbing facts.
US troops, aircraft tapped for rescue work in Pangasinan
GMANews.TV - Friday, October 9 On the eve of their departure from the Philippines, US military forces who have took part in rescue and relief work in the wake of tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana) were asked for help again, this time to assist victims of tropical depression "Pepeng" (Parma) in northern Philippines.
Road dike helps lessen Taguig floods
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 The Taguig City government on Friday said that residents living near the shoreline of Laguna Lake are convinced that the construction of the city's road dike saved them from a possible flash flood at the height of typhoon "Ondoy" that claimed hundreds of lives and damaged millions worth of properties in Metro Manila.

Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said that many Taguig residents, particularly those from the first district or Lower Taguig, have expressed their relief after being spared from "The Great Flood" and have now realized the benefits of the road dike.

The North Laguna Lakeshore Urgent Flood Control and Drainage, or commonly known as the Road Dike, was built to help ease the flood problem in key Metro Manila areas, including Taguig, and to serve as a major road network linking Rizal province to Southern Luzon.

Rene Flores, barangay chairman of Ibayo-Tipas, said he believes the road dike served as their barrier, preventing the water from Laguna Lake from surging to the lakeshore communities and causing a massive flash flood.

"Ngayon, naniniwala na kami sa tunay na intensyon ng pamahalaan noong sinisimulan nilang itayo 'yung dike.
No place to relocate all squatters, says MMDA
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) admitted on Friday that there is no place to permanently relocate all the thousands of families dwelling along riverbanks in Marikina City and other danger zones in Metro Manila.

"It would be dangerous for the informal settlers living along high-risk areas, but there's no place for them at this point in time," said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, also Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee on Informal Settlers (MMIAC) head.

Fernando told local government units to be more responsible in addressing the squatting problem in their localities.

The MMIAC earlier identified at least 5,000 squatter families as the initial beneficiaries of its Comprehensive Shelter Program (CSP) for informal settlers in Metro Manila.

However, Fernando said he expects the number of families needing to be relocated to increase after the onslaught of tropical storm "Ondoy" which swamped the eastern part of Metro Manila two weeks ago.

In Marikina alone, thousands of homeless families along Marikina River will not be allowed to return to their homes along the riverbank.

Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando said these families were forced out of their homes when the flood rose by more than six feet, submerging their houses.

She said more than 400 families were given housing units in Biñan, Laguna.

"We have no choice but tanggalin na sila doon," said the mayor, those residing in Tumana, Barangay Fortune, Riverside A and B, Malanday, Tanong, and Sto.
UNO focuses on relief drive
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Former President Joseph Estrada and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay have suspended all political activities of United Opposition (UNO) and urged members to focus on relief work for typhoon victims.

An October 14 activity of UNO was postponed after Estrada and Binay decided to take the lead in extending relief assistance to calamity victims of typhoon "Pepeng" in Northern Luzon provinces.

"Thousands of Filipinos have been affected by the massive flooding and landslides caused by typhoon Pepeng.
OFWs seek help on rising peso
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 The peso-dollar exchange rate has dropped to P46.46 per $1 from P47.6 to $1 last month, prompting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to call on the Philippine government to intervene and shore up their diminishing purchasing power.

The strong showing of the peso against the dollar particularly meant added difficulties for families of OFWs who were hit hard by two successive cyclones, "Ondoy" and "Pepeng."

The development has prompted an alliance of groups of OFWs in the Middle East, Migrante-Middle East, to call on the government to do an affirmative intervention to help ease the impact of the peso gains against the dollar on the OFWs and their families.

The group said one of the remedial measures that the government could do is to suspend the Bureau of Internal Revenue's documentary stamp tax on OFW remittances.

"With peso seen to rebound against dollar, suspension of the BIR's documentary stamp tax, which is 0.05 percent charged for every $200 remitted by OFW, is more than justified as it would ease the difficulties of the OFWs' families and dependents," John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator said in a statement.

"If the peso continuously gains against dollar, this would diminish the purchasing power of OFWs' families and dependents and this would mean another round of 'belt tightening' and reduce consumption for foods and other basic needs," he said.

The group said President Arroyo could order the BIR to stop charging the documentary stamp tax on OFW remittances, noting that the agency is under the direct supervision and administrative guidance of the Department of Finance, which is under the Executive branch.

Migrante chapters around the world have been actively campaigning for the removal of the BIR documentary stamp tax on OFWs remittances, claiming that such "would equate as indirect tax imposed by the government on OFWs channeled through remittance service centers."

The group said the government earns P60 million yearly from the imposition of the BIR's documentary stamp tax.
QC launches massive declogging of drains
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Following the heavy flooding that submerged large parts of the metropolis, the Quezon City Engineering Department (QCED) has embarked on a massive declogging of the drainage system, collecting an average of close to 1,000 fully-laden dump trucks of wastes and silts daily from the inlets and waterways.

Joselito Cabungcal, chief of the QECD, said aside from the road repair works, his men are continuously retrieving garbage and wastes that have already settled and found their way into canals, manholes and drainage mains at the height of tropical storm "Ondoy."

"Bihira na ang malakas at rumaragasang agos ng tubig sa paghinto ng malakas na ulan kaya ang mga basura ay kumpol-kumpol at nagkakabara-bara na sa mga waterways ng Quezon City," Cabungcal said.

Cabungcal said the waste-retrieving efforts of the QCED are facilitated by the city government's acquisition of two state-of-the-art vacuum sewer jet machines with each gadget capable of extracting at least five cubic meters of waste in one setting.

The P34.1-million flood control equipment is being fully utilized with the increasing volume of wastes clogging the city's inlets, canals, esteros and drainage mains.

Aside from the massive de-clogging work, Cabungcal said he has scheduled the cleaning of Diliman Creek, Culiat Creek, Mariblo Creek, La Mesa Creek, Lagarian Creek, Arayat Creek, Estero de Valencia, Buwaya Creek, and various water tributaries and waterways in the city.
TESDA graduates urged to volunteer services
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco urged TESDA graduates and scholars who are now owners of automotive, air conditioning, and refrigeration repair services to help the victims of storm "Ondoy" by volunteering repair services.

"At some point in our lives, we have to give back the good graces that we received.
Pia pushes centers for breastfeeding
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Senator Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano on Friday pushed for "breastfeeding-friendly" evacuation centers as health authorities fear an outbreak of diarrhea and malnutrition among babies of families affected by storm Ondoy.

Cayetano said breast milk remains the cheapest, safest and most effective emergency response against malnutrition and the outbreak of diseases, particularly among infants and young children staying in evacuation centers.

This, she said, even as she expressed support to the Department of Health's (DOH) move to promote and encourage breastfeeding among mothers even in times of calamity.

Cayetano also said she has been urging mothers affected by typhoon Ondoy not to be dependent on formula milk saying this would be counter-productive for them in the long-run.

"Breastmilk is free and remains the most potent means of addressing malnutrition, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses among 'Ondoy babies," said Cayetano who authored the "Expanding Breastfeeding Act."

"It gives them natural protection from diseases that easily spread in highly congested areas like evacuation centers and flood-stricken communities," she added.

Cayetano noted that the intervention of local government officials and disaster relief workers is crucial to prevent mothers staying in evacuation centers from stopping breastfeeding and becoming dependent on infant formula milk.

"Improper milk feeding and contaminated water used for preparing milk formula can be a deadly combination.

Formula-fed babies will be more prone to contracting diarrhea since potable water is scarce in evacuation centers where water supply and sanitation have been compromised due to leaking pipes and continued flooding," she explained.

"Mothers who become dependent on milk formula while in evacuation centers will eventually stop producing milk and will face difficulties once they start returning to their own homes where they won't have access to milk formula," she also said.
(UPDATE) 'Ondoy', 'Pepeng' hit areas producing 56%% of RP's rice
ABS-CBN - Friday, October 9 MANILA - Back-to-back typhoons that hit the Philippines' Luzon island put in peril key rice producing areas in the country.
BSP: Loan defaults from storm-hit areas to reach at least P5-B
ABS-CBN - Friday, October 9 MANILA - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expressed concern that bank loans that may not be paid because of the damage wrought by tropical storm "Ondoy" (international code name Ketsana) and typhoon "Pepeng" (international code name Parma).
Flood sinks Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Heavy rains brought by an almost stationary typhoon "Pepeng" wrought massive destruction and flooding in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija since early Thursday as two major dams - the Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija and the San Roque in Pangasinan - were forced to open their floodgates to prevent a more catastrophic breaching and collapse of the structures.
RP banks in heavy default risk from floods
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 MANILA, October 9, 2009 (AFP) - About half a trillion pesos ($10.7 billion) in loans are at risk from defaults due to two tropical storms that ravaged the Philippines, Dow Jones Newswires quoted a central bank official as saying Friday.

The figure quoted by Nestor Espenilla, the central bank deputy governor for supervision and examination, is equivalent to nearly a quarter of the Philippines banking systems' loan portfolio, the report said.

Tropical Storm Ketsana killed 337 people as floods swamped 80 percent of Manila on September 26, while Typhoon Parma has so far killed more than 90 people and is currently devastating farming areas in the country's north.

The Manila region accounts for a third of the country's economic output.

Dow Jones quoted Espenilla as saying the central bank is considering other relief measures to help banks cope with the potential loan defaults in the affected areas.

Espenilla said the central bank is considering a proposal that will allow banks to stagger over five years the booking of loan losses from Ketsana and Parma, Dow Jones said.

Last week the central bank announced a raft of temporary relief measures for the banks as a result of the storm disasters.
John Prats defends dad from Ondoy issues
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 Actor John Prats defended his father Dondi Prats from accusations that he left his co-villagers unattended during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.

The elder Prats is president of their village's Homeowner's Association.
Artists extend help to typhoon victims
Manila Bulletin - Friday, October 9 The one good thing that came out of the devastating typhoon Ondoy is that it rallied every Filipino to take part in the rebuilding and distribution of help needed by the survivors from the worst-hit areas in Metro Manila.

The young artists of the GMA Artist Center have been doing their share of contributing to this beautiful cause.
Six dead as storm hits northern Philippines
AFP - Friday, October 9

Malaysian, Japanese NGOs give relief goods for Ondoy victims
GMANews.TV - Friday, October 9 A Malaysian non-government organization on Thursday donated some 52,500 water purification tablets to victims of floods spawned by tropical storm “Ondoy."
More than 90%% of service lines restored - PLDT
Philstar.com - Friday, October 9 MANILA, Philippines -- Telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) announced that it has restored 91 percent of its service lines that have been affected by tropical storm "Ondoy."
19 fishermen rescued off Palawan return to Lapu-Lapu City
ABS-CBN - Thursday, October 8 CEBU CITY- 19 fishermen from Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province finally returned home after their fishing boat capsized in waters off Palawan island during Tropical Storm Ondoy.
Pregnant women in evacuation centers get reproductive health kits
Philstar.com - Thursday, October 8 MANILA, Philippines – The Family Planning Organization and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are now distributing 3,400 hygiene and reproductive health kits to more than 10,000 people in areas hit by tropical storm "Ondoy."
Condoms, napkins needed for typhoon evacuees
ABS-CBN - Thursday, October 8 MANILA - Concerned health groups are hoping to give more condoms and toiletries to victims of tropical storm Ondoy, in an effort to respond to reproductive health (RH) problems in overcrowded evacuation centers.
Brillante mulls directing film on Abu Sayyaf
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 Critically acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza's next film will likely be about the Abu Sayyaf.

Asked in a recent interview if he plans to go to Mindanao for research on the militant Islamic group, he said, "Baka."

The director has also documented "for personal endeavors" the experiences of Ondoy victims.

"Nakita (ko kasi) ang resiliency ng mga Pilipino (nung bagyo).
Manila Bulletin Fund Drive for Tropical Storm Ondoy victims now totals P5,117,841.90.
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 The following is the list of concerned Donors and Amounts received by Manila Bulletin as of October 7, 2009, totalling P111,800.00.
DA working on bigger typhoon aid packages
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 On top of short-gestation seeds, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is also looking at other production inputs like fertilizers that it will give for free to thousands of farmers devastated by tropical storm "Ondoy" and typhoon "Pepeng" to help them get back on their feet at once and plant anew this quarter.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the DA is now considering a much bigger package of assistance for typhoon-devastated farmers in Luzon that will include, among others, seed and fertilizer support, in the hope that they can catch up and plant again this season.

"The scope of this planned rehabilitation package and the number of target beneficiaries will depend on the final assessment reports that the DA will get from its agency heads and field offices," Yap said.

"Right now, we are waiting for the floods to subside so we can really determine which fields have standing crops that were completely destroyed by the two typhoons and which have crops that could still be harvested and recovered with the help of drying facilities," he said.

Agriculture Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Bernie Fondevilla said the DA will undertake market intervention programs through the National Food Authority, Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), involving five commodities.
MMDA to start Pasig, Taguig cleanup operation next week
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is moving its cleanup and rehabilitation operation starting next week to the cities of Pasig and Taguig, two of the areas devastated by tropical storm "Ondoy," saying that floodwaters would have receded in those areas by that time.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said floodwaters in Pasig and Taguig have significantly receded and can now be accessed by the MMDA's heavy equipment and workers.

"These communities need all the help they could get so we have to move fast and come to their aid.
Flooded areas now hit by brownouts
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 A fire hit one of the power transformers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal Wednesday night, resulting in power outages in some parts of the province and Metro Manila, including parts of Pasig that are still reeling from stagnant floodwaters spawned by storm "Ondoy".
Extra trucks cut QC trash woes
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8 The Quezon City government said on Thursday the additional garbage trucks fielded by the city government have reduced dramatically the volume of uncollected garbage in the city.

Despite the efforts of the city government, Quezon City Council Majority Floor Leader Ariel Inton appealed for patience to residents with uncollected household wastes, assuring that "everything humanly possible is being done" to clean their surroundings.

Instead of complaining, Inton requested local residents to pack their waste materials in plastic garbage bags to facilitate their collection, saying the huge number of discards is simply overwhelming after tropical storm "Ondoy" struck Metro Manila.

"Naiintindihan ko ang kalagayan ninyo pero sana wag na po tayong masyadong magreklamo at ginagawan naman po ng local na pamahalaan na matugunan ang inyong suliranin sa basura," Inton said.

He said the local and national government are not solely to blame for the flooding fiasco, saying that undisciplined and unscrupulous individuals who indiscriminately dump their waste on the waterways are also responsible for what happened.

"May kasabihan na ang tinapon natin pag naglaon ay babalik din sa atin," Inton noted.

Instead of people whining and pointing fingers, Inton said the huge flood should serve as an eye opener not only to local officials but also to the general public as flood control is the responsibility of every sector of society.

Earlier, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. sought the assistance of the local fire department and fire volunteer groups to facilitate the city's cleanup drive.

In a meeting with officials of the city's 142 barangays, Belmonte asked them to come up with accurate lists of families and individuals in their respective turfs occupying areas earlier identified as danger zones.

The danger zones are classified as critical areas near esteros, creeks, canals and other major waterways which are not fit for house or structural construction.

To prevent further casualties, Belmonte said the city government will expedite the coordination with the national government to facilitate the relocation of the informal settlers living near the city's danger zones.
La Union fishermen seek food aid from government
Manila Bulletin - Thursday, October 8

If you want to add the news feed to your blog or RSS reader, here's the yahoo feed for updates on Ondoy: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/rss/fc/typhoon-ondoy.xml

Ondoy victims who need our prayers

2009-10-06T16:53:00.000+08:00

Got goosebumps when I first scanned the NDCC Situation Report on Ondoy and saw names of the official dead, where they were from, and how they died...

These are people who need our prayers. Please view and download the full report here (go to pages 13-17) and print their names for your prayer brigades.

Situationer: NDCC report on Ondoy as of 4pm, Oct5

2009-10-06T16:38:00.000+08:00

The latest NDCC Situation Report (as of 4pm, Oct 5, Monday) gives us an overview of what's been happening (and what's not--this is where we can start brainstorming for solutions). Some highlights below:

· The total number of casualties remains at 339: broken down into 295 Dead; 5 Injured; and, 39 Missing.
· Estimated cost of damages is PhP9,767,079,482.88 broken down into: Infrastructure – PhP3,412,410,529.88 and Agriculture – PhP6,354,668,953.00
· 38,943 houses were damaged with 16,094 totally and 22,849 partially damaged.
· The total cost of assistance provided by the Government and NGOs/Other GOs is PhP74,541,852.16

A brief look into the breakdown of the report, such as the list of casualties on page 13, shows these figures are most likely underestimated.

Can expect the same truncated/selective updates on government response, but at least the report gives us an idea of who's doing what and possibly which areas need help and attention (these are where solutions can and should come in). Sharing more snippets from the report as follows:

FOOD

DSWD provided relief goods consisting of ready to eat food and non-food items worth PhP19.39 Million; prepositioned PhP166,281,468 worth of stand-by funds family food packs and stockpile of relief commodities by the FOs concerned; released PhP11.5 Million additional stand-by funds to the following regional offices for the purchase of emergency supplies and for other needs; receipt of donations both local and international (PhP2.47 Million in kind and PhP7.99 Million in cash and US$50,000 through DSWD Philippine Donation Account Number 3122-0055-81 TLBPHMMXXX, LBP, Batasan Branch, Quezon City

HEALTH

DOH – As of October 05, 2009, the amount of logistical support (drugs, medicines and medical supplies) provided for Health and WASH clusters is PhP19,742,610.37
PAGCOR –conducted 18 medical missions at 35 evacuation centers in Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Laguna and Rizal Province with at least 2-3 missions conducted daily. From Sept 27 to Oct 3, 2009, a total of 14.515 patients benefited; and also donated four (4) boxes of medicines to the DILG for the medical mission in Binan, Laguna.

WASH

DOH- CHD –MM deployed six (6) WASH teams; conducted water quality monitoring and testing in strategic sites including all evacuation centers;
distributed 139 portalets in 53 evacuation centers in NCR and Region IV-A;

PSYCHOSOCIAL

CHD HEMS conducted debriefing to 2, 060 individuals: 1,673 in Malanday ES, Mairikina; 180 in Brgy Bagong Silangan, QC, and 207 in Exodus ES Floodway, Cainta.

CAMP MANAGEMENT

NDCC established the following Advance Command Posts (ACP) in various strategic areas in Metro Manila:

Katipunan Avenue cor. Aurora Boulevard, Marikina City. The over-all commander is Hon. Mayor Marides Fernando while the Incident Commanders are Mr. Robert Nacianceno and Mr. Ramon Santiago of MMDA with telephone numbers (0917) 322.1951 and (0920) 938 9914
Alpha base 8th Floor, Pasig City Hall with telephone number 643-0000. The over-all commander is Mayor Roberto Eusebio.
Club House, City Hall of Cainta City headed by Mayor Ramon Ilagan, with telephone numbers (0927) 220-4744, (0917) 535-0028and 665-0846
Department of Public Order, Safety Hall, Quezon City. The over-all commander is Mayor Sonny Belmonte while the incident Commander is Ms. Teresa Amarillo with telephone number (0921) 655.5262
NDCC Relief Center No. 4 – Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang Grounds
Forward NDCC on-site coordination Center at the Incident Command Post at Ever Gotesco, Ortigas
Advanced Command Post at City Hall of Taytay Rizal for Angono, Taytay and Cainta
Advance Command Post at Baras Police Station for San Mateo and Montalban and at San Mateo Plaza;
For remaining municipalities DSWD Set up Social Welfare Inquiry Sets; NGOs and donors’ desk in all DSWD-FOs to strengthen linkages between the DSWD LGUs NGOs and other partners to facilitate prompt and effective delivery of donations and humanitarian assistance as well established donations drop-off points as follows:

- Advance Command Post at Baras Police Station for San Mateo and Montalban and at San Mateo Plaza; for remaining municipalities
- Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Info Center (DROMIC) DSWD Central Office
- National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City,
- Quezon City Area
- Manila Area DSWD- NCR, San Rafael cor Legarda Sts. Quiapo, Manila

DOH established drop off points in MMD-DOH Central Office
OWWA set up assistance center at NDCC Operation Center for the families of OFWs
PCG established a Command Advance Post at Santolan LRT Station in Marikina City with two (2) SAR Teams (15 personnel) and one (1) team to assist in the distribution of relief goods

EDUCATION

DepEd conducted damage assessment and 419 schools were reported damaged in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, CAR and NCR : 331 elementary schools and 88 high schools. A total of 226 school buildings being used as evacuation centers and are housing 12,560 families and 26,212 individuals

INFRASTRUCTURE

As of October 4, 2009 12NN, DPWH’s assessed that 13 road sections are still impassable/hardly passable to traffic due to landslides, washed-out slope protection and scoured shoulders: NCR (1); Region III (3); Region IV-A (7) and IV-B

SEARCH AND RESCUE and RETRIEVAL OPERATIONS

Combined rescue efforts from the AFP, BFP, PCG, PNP, and PAGCOR bring the numbers of total rescued FAMILIES to 34,031 and PERSONS to 154,031

CLEARING OPERATIONS

As of October 5, 2009, clearing operations in Provident Marikina is still on going with 44 personnel from Bantay Bayan volunteers and US Marines counterpart

PGMA’s Verbal Directives during the Oct 2 Cabinet Meeting:

BFP to coordinate with LWUA and MWSS to conduct clean –up drive and provide potable water in Cainta; to clean up affected hospitals road ways and evacuation centers; and to provide info to PGMA on the specific places where potable waters have been distributed and need to be distributed in Cainta
DILG to assist DTI in disseminating directive to deputize local market administration to discipline abusive market/mall owners. PGMA’s toll order is to apprehend them.
DepEd to coordinate with the LGUs regarding identification of evacuation areas and to open the upper sections of ULTRA and house evacuees
DTI to request LGUs to monitor stalls/stores/malls where their business permits have been cancelled to ensure that cancellation is enforced

For the latest official Situation Reports, visit reliefweb's page on the government the Philippines.
For all other relief-related news on the country, visit reliefweb's page on the latest updates on the Philippines.

How to handle food, water, injuries and other health concerns after a flood

2009-10-06T14:40:00.000+08:00

More on safety reminders after a flood from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, found on Ateneo de Manila's facebook notes.

Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood Recovery: Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane or Flood

Prevent illness from FOOD

Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat. Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened, or damaged. Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. Throw away perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40°F for 2 hours or more. Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40°F or below can be refrozen or cooked. If cans have come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a solution of 1 cup (240 milliliters) of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Relabel the cans with a marker.
Store food safely. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Add block ice or dry ice to your refrigerator if the electricity is expected to be off longer than 4 hours. Wear heavy gloves when handling ice.

Prevent illness from WATER

Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing.
Correctly boil or disinfect water. Hold water at a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill bacteria. If you can't boil water, add 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 0.75 mL) of newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of water. Stir the water well, and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it.
You can use water-purifying tablets instead of boiling water or using bleach.
For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water.
Clean children's toys that have come in contact with water. Use a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water to clean the toys. Let toys air dry after cleaning.

Prevent and treat OTHER ILLNESS and INJURIES

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced by many types of equipment and is poisonous to breathe.
Don't use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open. Don't heat your house with a gas oven. If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call the Fire Department. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.
Avoid floodwater and mosquitoes. Follow all warnings about water on roadways. Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment through water. If you have to work in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket. If you are caught in an area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket, or use some other type of flotation device.
Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts and by using insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin. More information about these and other recommended repellents can be found in the fact sheet "Updated Information Regarding Insect Repellents" at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/w estnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
Avoid unstable buildings and structures. Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure is about to fall.
Beware of wild or stray animals. Avoid wild or stray animals. Take appropriate precautions to avoid animal bites and rabies exposure (see www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure). Call local authorities to handle animals. Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines.
Beware of electrical and fire hazards. NEVER touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines. Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities. If electrical circuits and equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Do not burn candles near flammable items or leave the candle unattended. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles.
Beware of hazardous materials. Wear protective clothing and gear (for example, a respirator if needed) when handling hazardous materials. Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous chemicals. Contact local authorities if you are not sure about how to handle or get rid of hazardous materials.
Clean up and prevent mold growth. Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth, wear rubber gloves, open windows and doors, and clean with a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Throw away porous items (for example, carpet and upholstered furniture) that cannot be dried quickly. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing.
Pace yourself and get support. Be alert to physical and emotional exhaustion or strain. Set priorities for cleanup tasks, and pace the work. Try not to work alone. Don't get exhausted. Ask your family members, friends, or professionals for support. If needed, seek professional help.
Prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).
Stay cool. When it's hot, stay in air-conditioned buildings; take breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms; drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; and do outdoor activities during cooler hours.
Treat wounds. Clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed (such as a tetanus shot). If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention. Wash your hands. Use soap and water to wash your hands. If water isn't available, you can use alcohol-based products made for washing hands.
Wear protective gear for cleanup work. Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles (not just steel shank). Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

Volunteering to clean-up after Ondoy? Safety first: read up on hazards

2009-10-06T14:01:00.002+08:00

What are safety musts for any clean-up endeavor? Reposting some tips on health maintenance (avoiding injury, infections, etc.), protective gear, and dealing with electrical and fire hazards.

Taken from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as found on Ateneo de Manila's facebook page.

Clean-up Hazards Fact Sheet

Cleanup work of any kind is hazardous, but flood conditions make it even more so. Following the procedures listed below will help to keep you safe and healthy while cleaning up after natural disasters that involve flooding.

Health Tips

Take frequent rest breaks when lifting heavy, water-laden objects. Avoid overexertion and practice good lifting techniques. To help prevent injury, use teams of two or more to move bulky objects; avoid lifting any materials that weigh more than 50 pounds per person, and use proper automated lifting assistance devices if practical.
When working in hot environments, have plenty of drinking water available, use sunscreen, and take frequent rest breaks. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Be sure a first-aid kit is available to disinfect any cuts or abrasions. Protect open cuts and abrasions with waterproof gloves or dressings.
Wash your hands often during the day, especially before eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics.

General Precautions

Use a wooden stick or pole to check flooded areas for pits, holes, and protruding objects before entering.
Ensure that all ladders and scaffolds are properly secured prior to use.
Conduct a preliminary worksite inspection to verify stability before entering a flooded or formerly flooded building or before operating vehicles over roadways or surfaces. Don't work in or around any flood-damaged building until it has been examined and certified as safe for work by a registered professional engineer or architect.
Washouts, trenches, excavations, and gullies must be supported or their stability verified prior to worker entry. All trenches should be supported (e.g., with a trench box); if no support is available, the trench must be sloped at no less than a 1:1 (45°) angle for cohesive soil and 1:1½ (34°) angle for granular soils including gravel, sand, and loamy sand or submerged soil or soil from which water is freely seeping.
Establish a plan for contacting medical personnel in the event of an emergency.
Report any obvious hazards (downed power lines, frayed electric wires, gas leaks or snakes) to appropriate authorities.
Use fuel-powered generators outdoors. Do not bring them indoors.
Use life-vests when engaged in activities that could result in deep water exposure.
Use extreme caution when handling containers holding unknown substances or known toxic substances (for example floating containers of household or industrial chemicals).
Do NOT use improvised surfaces (e.g., refrigerator racks) for cooking food or for boiling water to avoid exposure to heavy metals.

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear water tight boots with steel toe and insole, gloves, long pants, and safety glasses during cleanup operations; sneakers should NOT be worn because they will not prevent punctures, bites or crush injuries. Wear a hardhat if there is any danger of falling debris.
Wear a NIOSH-approved dust respirator if working with moldy building materials or vegetable matter (hay, stored grain, or compost).
When handling bleach or other chemicals, follow the directions on the package; wear eye, hand, and face protection as appropriate; and have plenty of clean water available for eye wash and other first-aid treatments.

Electrical Hazards

Do NOT touch downed power lines or any object or water that is in contact with such lines.
Treat all power lines as energized until you are certain that the lines have been de-energized.
Beware of overhead and underground lines when clearing debris. Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact.
If damage to an electrical system is suspected (for example, if the wiring has been under water, you can smell burning insulation, wires are visibly frayed, or you see sparks), turn off the electrical system in the building and follow lockout/tagout procedures before beginning work. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.
When using a generator, be sure that the main circuit breaker is OFF and locked out prior to starting the generator. This will prevent inadvertent energization of power lines from backfeed electrical energy from generators and help protect utility line workers from possible electrocution.
Be aware that de-energized power lines may become energized by a secondary power source such as a portable backup generator.
Any electrical equipment, including extension cords, used in wet environments must be marked, as appropriate, for use in wet locations and must be undamaged. Be sure that all connections are out of water.
All cord-connected, electrically operated tools and equipment must be grounded or be double insulated.
Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) must be used in all wet locations. Portable GFCIs can be purchased at hardware stores.

Fire Protection

Immediately evacuate any building that has a gas leak until the leak is controlled and the area ventilated.
Be sure an adequate number of fire extinguishers are available and re-evaluate the fire evacuation plan.
Be sure all fire exits are clear of debris and sand bags.

What do we do now? Let's talk solutions.

2009-10-03T06:05:00.002+08:00

I put up this blog principally to counter the negativity and finger-pointing that's started to go around. Let's all talk. And let's talk solutions.

This is a creative activity (creativity is problem-solving!), so best to just let it out. No idea is wrong or stupid or too small to make a difference. Send in yours.

STEP ONE: Identify what needs to be solved.

What do you think went wrong? Why? In what areas could we--private citizens, communities, government-- have done better? I'm listing initial areas of concern below, please feel free to add:

Disaster preparedness

Efficient communication lines to be able to pinpoint areas of most need in times of crises

Facebook and Twitter as real-time mobilization tools (how to tap?)

Donation system and transparency
Efficient and effective deployment system for relief goods (continuous, reaches those in need by urgency of need, etc)
Investments in technology and equipment (ex. rubber boats, Doppler radar for Pag-asa)
Evacuation centers: locate (on higher ground, etc.), build, equip

Environmental awareness and action

Climate change awareness-- situation report in the Phil context, its consequences, action steps (on the community and individual levels)
Managing trash in a time of crisis
Littering as cause of blockage of canals

Governance (things only government has the capacity to do)

Release official advisories immediately, and on a regular basis (the media had to play this role because government didn't)
Ensure a sense of calm (vs. panic)
Implement laws on land use and property development
Infrastructure: floodways, drainage system

STEP TWO: Top off mind solutions--let me have them.

Again, as a creative exercise, this is a time to let the ideas flow. There are many initiatives already being done as I write, and that's GREAT! We can never have too many volunteers, good deeds, or good ideas. The bayanihan spirit that's making a real comeback (maybe for the first time, in this scale, for our generation) needs to be harnessed, and replicated. Let's list what solutions worked, what didn't, what needs improvement.

Most of the solutions are implemented on the community level...We can identify community leaders that are able (have the capacity) and willing to be point persons. This applies to all groups, whether big or small, formal or informal: barkadas, schools, family, sports club, church org, youth group, officemates, interest groups

More to come. Hope you can pitch in!

Photographers seek to Capture The Light: The Ondoy Photo Walk Project

2009-10-03T04:27:00.000+08:00

Caught wind of Capture The Light: The Ondoy Photo Walk Project, which creator Leo Castillo describes as "a way to convert our photography skills and talents into something that will greatly benefit the relief operations." Details as follows:

- We'll ask our participants to volunteer in relief centers.
- To entice more people to help out, we are giving a photo lesson for free.
- To entice volunteers to pledge more money/time/effort we have asked our friends in the photography field to provide contributions.
- Some contributions will be offered in via auction. Bidding can be in the form of money/goods or pledged number of hours of service. All proceeds will go to relief efforts for people affected by Ondoy.
- Some contributions will be given as prizes for a photo contest. We are giving specific instructions to our volunteers to be a volunteer first and foremost, singit lang ang photos.
- The intention of the photos is the desire to create a gallery of photos showing the bayanihan spirit; the goodness of man. By creating this gallery we hope to inspire more to continue to embody this spirit. To "capture the light".

Original date set for the photography/service project was Sunday, October 4, but due to Typhoon Pepeng, it has been postponed tentatively to October 11. Visit the facebook group for updates.

Pinoy students abroad do their share

2009-10-03T03:56:00.000+08:00

Heard from a friend studying in the UK about Pinoy student communities all over the globe mobilizing to help. He said efforts are amazing. Found this facebook group, Student Calamity Fund: 430,000 people displaced by Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy):

Student led donation drive for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana (also called Typhoon Ondoy) in the Philippines. It is a joint effort of students and alumni all over the world including: Columbia, Harvard, INSEAD, MIT, Stanford, UPenn/Wharton, Audencia Nantes SOM, London Business School, University of New South Wales, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, SMU, IESE, AGSM, Berkeley, Yale, Babson, NYU, ESADE, Tuck, Purdue and others.

Drop-off points, donation facilities and mobilization updates by region/country in the discussion boards:

USA (East coast)
USA (West coast)
USA (Central)
Australia
U.K.
France
Spain
Singapore
Hong Kong, China
U.A.E. and Middle East

Bayanihan online: Real and inspiring stories after Ondoy

2009-10-03T02:44:00.001+08:00

Found bayanihan.tumblr.com while searching for inspiring stories on Ondoy:

What an amazing site, full of hope indeed. Can retire the "stories of hope" section of this blog and just redirect everyone to bayanihan.tumblr.com:

Picking up the pieces after typhoon Ondoy, which happened last September 26, 2009. It was the worst flood in recorded Philippine history.

Amidst all the chaos, we still have hope. We have hope in the Filipino people. These are their stories.
(All text/photos remain property of their original creators. No copyright infringement intended.)

Send in your stories, pictures or literature (poems, prayers, essays, articles, etc.) about the Filipino bayanihan movement for Ondoy victims to bayanihan.ondoy@gmail.com !

Let's do what we can to make this tribute as comprehensive as possible! Send in your stories of hope and give people more good news to wake up to everyday, and positive stories to pass along to friends in need of pick-me-uppers.

*I added a feed to the bayanihan site on the sidebar. You can also check it for new posts. :)

Katrina, meet Ondoy: a reflection on heroism

2009-10-03T02:03:00.001+08:00

Gabriela Tatad writes poignantly about Ondoy and how it brought out the best in Pinoys:

Every minute gives birth to so many insane, impossibly true stories, such as those of University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center (more casually known around here as UERM), where water rushed to the third floor of the hospital. The parking lot was filled with oxygen tanks that leaked or busted open, and so no candles could be lit for fear of an explosion. In the middle of the dark, their only source of light was their penlights.

Then there is the story of Corazon Palomar, stuck on the roof of her home in Pasig with thirteen other people. She was 84, and recently had a heart bypass. They were stranded for 2 days, shivering from the cold, beyond parched and starving as they waited for rescue. A neighbor of theirs managed to salvage one hard-boiled egg which all of them shared. Corazon's daughter, Lily, held her mother to keep her warm. Lily didn't partake of the egg, but instead gave her share to the near-hopeless Corazon.

Read her full post here.
Found through Start Here.

What will we do when Ondoy gets old?

2009-10-03T01:13:00.000+08:00

Stefan Suarez wrote a stirring note on Facebook, "When Ondoy Gets Old"

So we fed a few people. Now what?
It's Day 6 and Facebook, Twitter, TV, the papers- everything's still Flooded with news about the Flood (though a little less than before). I even have some friends getting angry when their other friends post "useless" stuff- you know- the kind of stuff we'd normally post if there wasn't an emergency or disaster.

But here's reality... a few days or weeks from now, things will not-so-slowly start to look normal again. At least for us. Facebook will have less stuff about emergency relief, and more of those quizzes, and games, and scores, and invitations to gigs and parties and whatnot. In a few days, Ondoy will no longer be "the news". When Ondoy gets old, it will be forgotten. It will be just another problem that we've learned to live with...

He stressed that "The truth of the matter is this- 95% of the people whom we are helping now- they needed our help BEFORE the typhoon," and urged everyone to "be around for them PERMANENTLY." He ended his post by throwing the ball back to his friends (and their friends): "If we're here to help, let's make sure we follow through. This is where I shut up and let you guys do the talking. Use the comment box below to share your ideas and thoughts on the matter."

And his friends did start talking. And are still talking. 50 comments so far, only 12 hours after his post went online.

Reposting some of the comments below, will sort through them asap.

Reg W. Bautista
There are those pushing for a more lasting impact. Support Efren Penaflorida and Tulakabataan.
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/vote/index.html

Margarita Villanueva
You think Pepeng is Ondoy's kuya? Will he steal the lime light from Ondoy? Anyways, I also have thought about the What-happens-next-part, and I was praying that "thinkers" will rise up to the occasion. While others help, others should also plan. We cannot neglect the "immediate" needs same with the "follow through". When they said "any kind of help... Read More will do" whether a peso or a great follow through plan, a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. A prayer or a team to execute the great plan. Could be now, could be later. Help is help. Just like the body, not everyone can be the nose or the cheeks. We all have a role to play. I just hope this is enough shaking to wake people up. Since these are OLD problems, we need to look on both extremes. The POOR needs attention, and so does CORRUPTION. They have a common denominator.

Christian Bugia
What we need to do is to start digging out the roots of these old problems, so we could have a fresh start. and this will not be possible if we will not start on ourselves. By being vigilant on everything we do on a day to day basis, there will be less trash to sweep and more clean places to enjoy, less smoke to emit and more clean air for our ... Read Morelungs, less exams to fail and more hope for a better career, less time for ourselves and more time to help each other. Disease is not the only thing contagious in this world, but character as well. There is hope, we just need to live by it starting today.

Ivy Tagle Ignacio
This is really TRUE and GREAT Stef!!! How can we help??? First and foremost...we need education. These people need to be educated...im not saying this in a negative way, don't get me wrong..."the children is our hope for a better future"...maybe in some way or somehow we can give our share thru that...Im a homeschool mom, and I strongly believe ... Read Morethat me son learns a lot of things teaching him for a few hours everyday. maybe some can do something like that. Im willing to volunteer in teaching kids. :)

Violeta Imperial
Pls Repost: Calling all creative business leaders, let's come up with the list of realistic simple Jobs for the evacuees. Let's economically empower them to also help others in need. This will also help them heal faster. Thank you and GOD bless.
Calling on Community Organizers (Community Dev Course): please volunteer to your schools to be assigned to different evacuation centers. This will help u in your Community Dev Studies (Advised by Ikeng). Take stress debriefing exercise first at UP/UST/DOH. Thank u and GOD Bless.

Paul John Peña
We need to map out more sustainable strategies that address rehabilitation of communities after all the hype is gone.

Antonio Sy Jr.
The root of the problem is simple...development has not been equalized between the cities and the countryside. This is what you get...people becoming attracted to the city who they think will provide them a decent standard of living (Kasalanan ni Hollywood ito) but unfortunately, reality sinks in and they couldn't go back anymore as they don't ... Read Morewant to lose face or worse, they don't have the means.

For as long as we engender a culture of making money the path to true happiness (instead of just having a decent quality of life) you will always see people move from the countryside to the cities.

as Ivy said education is the key...but on top of that is an outlook change that living in the city s better than the countryside.

Cynthia Dayco
You know, it's not like volunteerism didn't exist before Ondoy. We should just make it a habit, if you will. Find a permanent soup kitchen or a relief center and commit to help one or two nights a week. Join Gawad Kalinga.
Don't like heavy lifting? Stop ignoring the UNICEF volunteers and pledge to have the donation charged to your VISA every month... Read More.
Another thing we can do is keep a close eye on the politicians and gov't officials during this time. Those who proved to be opportunists, hypocrites and nincompoops--campaign against them in 2010.

Junie De Leon
News last night mentioned people wanting to go back to their provinces. I guess the it's also about helping other provinces progress such that more jobs can be created. We do need to decongest Metro Manila. Along with the decongestion, other problems may be solved such as the garbage problem which is partlty due to Manila being over populated. Just my thoughts. I personally wouldn't mind settling down in the provnices. As long as good jobs are available. Life should be less hectic there.

Antonio Sy Jr.
@Junie...there lies the problem..as long as there are good jobs out there. We have to develop these places first. Maybe choose a few areas that will serve as a mini-Manila similar to Cebu and Davao. We need more of those especially in the Bicol Area, Central Luzon, Northern Luzon...maybe one or two more in the bigger islands of th Visayas and devleop Zamboanga, Cotabato to at least Cebu standards. THAT will decongest the main city...

It should also be sustainable...that means huwag naman grand dreams tapos di rin naman matatapos. Let's start by having these mini cities be connected with GOOD roads tothe surrounding areas so that people will be able to sell their produce withough having to go through middlemen who squeeze them through and through. Communications can be further... Read More enhanced.

Business will never move into these areas unless they see that the purchasing power of people will be able to sustain their business. That means we should have a plan of having people generate their income either by being entreprenuers or by generating jobs in the area.

Kenneth Cardenas
Hi Stefan. I am currently doing research on urbanization in Mega Manila, and I typed up some comments on the past weekend's disaster based on what I've found out so far that might help with how to play the endgame, as you put it.

Feel free to join the discussion here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=290948210385

Anna Patricia D. Malay
1) Life after Ondoy will be marked especially during the 2010 elections. What we decide then, who we decide on, the memories we're vigilant to remember. Do NOT forget anything. Be vigilant.

2) If anything, now, we see how healing compassion is. I just pray and hope that all the hearts that have been touched to give will not turn cold again and ... Read Moreunfeeling at some point, as we've been wont to do. The help is needed long after Ondoy. Be compassionate.

3) Always, always be on the side of caution. Now we see that property must be wisely located and storm signals properly heeded. A lot of work our government needs to do but if we're more responsible with our own selves, we can rely on them less, at least, until government can get its act together. Be wise.

Kiko Escora
help those who need help help themselves?

David Guerrero
Hi Stefan. Well put. If there's any good that comes out of this it's that we put more systematic volunteer programs in place. And stop blaming 'the system' for the situation. Sometimes the most important thing is just to get on with it and act on your beliefs.But the action needs to be institutionalized and collective otherwise we'll get tired as individuals and give up. We have to work on the people closest to us, and the things we can most influence. Then rely on others to do the same.

James Paul Linog Yian
We are fickle-minded, we love sensationalism and heroism. What we don't like is the boring work of institutionalizing what gains we started. Precisely because it is boring and nobody wants to do work that isn't appreciated. And it doesn't win elections too. Why do you guys think the senate and congress continuously parades sensational issues and do... Read More public hearings "in aid of legislation" kuno. Sad to say...It is we who perpetuate this mentality and it is us who feed upon this downward spiral. Eventually we need to stop talking and we need to start changing from within. Stop the talk and do something. I'm done talking.

Angela Poe
Very well put. It's hard to make efforts sustainable because once people jump in and see how much work actually needs to be done, it gets overwhelming, and suddenly we don't know where to begin, and sometimes we wonder if our small actions are worth anything. What we need is for people to find something that will work, do it well, and stick with it... Read More. And try new fields, sure, but keep doing something and try to get others to join in. What's really important is motivation, for people to keep in mind the reason they started something and the reason they need to keep on going, even when everyone else gets tired, forgetful, or cynical.

Raina Reyes
Great point! I'm starting a book drive to help collect books for those who lost theirs to Ondoy. I've called a couple of evacuation centers, to find out who the proceeds could go to, and was turned away pretty harshly. Mostly because I wasn't offering food or clothing or any of those basic needs. Hindi kasi nila kailangan ng libro. :( But from what... Read More I saw on the news, thousands of books were covered in mud. Public school libraries were ruined. What people forget sometimes, is that education IS a basic right, and once they start rebuilding, people will need more than just food and clothing. They'll need encouragement, support, hope and the confidence to start rebuilding their lives. So we need people who will be there when the hype fades a way. And to those who are thinking of starting long-term efforts, don't be discouraged! Keep the faith and stand by. :) We'll need you in the long run.

Cristina Tan Schneck
Relief is just the beginning...we have to help them build thier lives, build their houses, build their future...yes you are right, we are facing with the problems that were right in front our face way before Ondoy...we can not remain indifferent anymore...

Noreen Bautista
Nash brought this idea to me about coming up with an idea-generating team for long term solutions and to make our communities more able to withstand calamities like these.
We need people from all fields to help address environmental, livelihood and housing concerns. Can we mobilize this?

Neva Kares
Thanks for posting this. I admit, I'm one of the usually apathetic ones. But because it was my hometown that was badly affected (Marikina) I really felt involved and was moved to do something.

You're right that most of these people needed help before the typhoon (except for the ones in Provident and subd in QC).

Here are my suggestions from my learning experience with volunteering in relief efforts this week:... Read More

*When donating something it's better to give directly to people who need it

Not only will it ensure it gets there but these people also need your time. it would be good to give them the gift of your friendship and presence as well. it was an eye-opener for me to know these people close-up and personal. they're not just faces on posters and news reports anymore.

*Soup kitchens and food drives are most effective - because it taps into the Pinoy's cultural thing of food being a community event. There's an emotional aspect to gathering together in one place and sharing food (breaking bread) which is very important to Pinoys.

*Keep hounding government for better urban planning and environmental vigilance

It's kind of tiring and feels futile but we should remain abreast of the urban planning situation in our city, for a start -- and call out our leaders through online and print campaigns to do their duty.

*Take waste segregation and recycling seriously -

Most people will gladly segregate and recycle if they get enough reminders about it -- namely, if they see someone do it consistently. Let's start with our household; let's be examples. And let's post info about Materials Recycling Facility and junkshops that take (and buy back) many of our plastic, styro and non-biodegradable junk.

*BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO BE

You want the government to be free from corruption, graft and nepotism? Start by practicing fairness when treating your own family. If you work for an airline, for example, give your relatives and friends the same treatment you'd give any customer. Don't try to skip lines by using "connections" or "palakasan." Don't run a red light even when absolutely no one is around. Don't bribe a cop or traffic enforcer no matter how inconvenient. Teach your child or sibling patience and respect for the rules and regulations. Really. It's the little things.

Tim Tayag
I agree with a lot of the comments. But one thing to think about too is how do we help them help themselves? Instead of just giving them fish, how can we teach them to be fishermen? Government should certainly be held responsible but up to what point? How do you help people realize their full potential without making them dependent? I've always... Read More believed in providing education. Just things to ponder this coming elections.

All these relief efforts show that there is still great hope to change our country for the better.

Neva Kares
tim: the solution is develop and support micro and small businesses.

because these enterprises can best employ those who haven't had more than a few years of high school education because and those below poverty level. these enterprises are good livelihood programs because they're small enough to be flexible to needs of single mothers, for example, who cannot sustain stringent schedules of, say, big factories.

if govt (esp BIR, BFAD, DTI, CITY HALL and SEC) make it easier for people to start a business and not demand unrealistic requirement and standards (ESPECIALLY BFAD!!) then more people will have opportunity for gainful employment.... Read More

Economic growth and poverty alleviation through livelihood, instantly.

Lawrence Anthony Ong
I agree, but I'd just like to add that someone needs to take the lead in all this. I do not know who but unless someone leads (and no, I don't think that person's a politician) with a vision, everything else will stay the same.

PDI: Mandaue inmates skip meal to help Manila flood victims

2009-10-03T00:40:00.000+08:00

Mandaue inmates skip meal to help Manila flood victims
By Dale G. Israel
Cebu Daily Newshttp://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20090930-227640/Mandaue_inmates_skip_meal_to_help_Manila_flood_victims

Even prisoners in Mandaue City are going out of their way to help flood victims of Metro Manila.

More than 600 inmates volunteered to forego one meal today and donate their rations.

The skipped meal will translate to four sacks of rice and several canned goods.

The idea started with the jail’s 45-member staff, who decided to skip in-house birthday celebrations for October and donate the budget to typhoon victims, said Supt. Simeon Dolojo, the jail warden and an October celebrant.

Then leaders of inmates followed the cue and agreed to skip one meal today.

“Mas grabe ang nahitabo nga kalisod sa Manila kaysa sa amoa, mao nga mas maayong muhatag mi (The difficulties happening in Manila are far worse than ours here, so it would be better for us to give),” said Pepito Togade, 36, leader of inmates in the Annex Building of the city jail.

The mayores or section leaders – Cherry Mendoza, 39, of the Female Dormitory, and Willy Loberanes, 49, of the Solid Building section – spread the word, and the whole prison population eventually agreed.

Lobaranes said the inmates wanted to return the favor to the public when the jail received help during an outbreak of the Influenza A subtype H1N1 virus among the prisoners.

“We received a lot of help when H1N1 struck us. This is our way of giving back,” Loberanes said in Cebuano.

Most inmates in the city jail are male, with 54 women in the Female Dormitory.

“I salute our inmates for their good gesture,“ said Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes.

“For me, this will create ripples of joy and kindness. In good times and in bad times, we are all brothers and sisters.”

Also, the Mandaue City government is donating P1 million for relief efforts in Manila.

During the City Council’s regular session yesterday, a resolution was passed authorizing Cortes to tap P1 million from the city’s calamity funds as a donation to Manila.

The donation will be coursed to the Office of the President through the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

“I was touched when the warden called me up. It was a beautiful project,” said Chief Supt. Doris Dorigo, director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Central Visayas (BJMP-7), in Tagalog.

“We can see how difficult it is for them, yet still they were quick to help.”

Dorigo visited the jail yesterday to award some jail personnel.

Inspired by the inmates’ action, Dorigo said she would require all BJMP-7 personnel to skip one meal every seven days so that the resources could be donated to flood victims.

A raft made of bottles!

2009-10-03T00:36:00.000+08:00

Found this through Trinka Lat: how to make a raft using used plastic bottles. Looks like these kids were doing this on a whim, but it's an idea worth looking into...

Newsbreak: How to clean flood-damaged homes

2009-10-02T23:52:00.000+08:00

Newsbreak reporter Kristine Servando writes about tips to start cleaning up flooded homes that were shared by Architect Rodan Fernandez and Ding Doplayna, managing director of the maintenance service company Servicemaster. Both recently appeared on the ANC TV show, Shoptalk:

1. Before entering your home, be sure it is structurally sound.
Make sure there are no live wires and electricity is cut off. Check for loose concrete on ceilings, plywood, or other fixtures that might collapse.
Check with your power or water supplier first if electricity or water is safe to use in your area.
Fernandez says structural damage from storms and floods are not as bad as when earthquakes hit. However, in severe cases, there is a danger that soil underneath a house has softened from prolonged exposure to water that can result to erosion. "If there's a slight doubt to structural integrity or a danger of collapse, call a structural engineer or architect immediately," he said.
2. Check your utilities.
Things that usually get damaged are electrical systems, plumbing, wooden or laminated boards, or cabinets. Some doors and walls can also collapse under intense water pressure.
Inspect electrical outlets for damage, and call an electrician to check whether they are still safe to use.
Mudflow could clog pipes, which can be remedied by power-hosing. Repiping jobs are called for when the mud hardens. Plumbing repairs for a standard 3-bedroom house (150 square meters), would cost about P150,000, according to Fernandez. This varies according to the degree of damage.
3. Clear and clean as much as you can.
Make sure there are no objects lying around when you pump out water.
Take out all the water inside the house using pails or water pumps. Duplayna says prolonged water saturation can lead to many problems like carpet discoloration, warped wood, or even mosquito and pest infestations when water stagnates not only inside the home, but in surrounding areas.
Flooded basements where generators are located are also at risk for oil spills. These can lead to foul-smelling odors that can be cleaned out by industrial chemicals.
Clean up all the mud inside the house and do not allow mud to harden. If your floors are made of ceramic tiles, buy a bristle brush and remove water and mud.
For houses with wooden flooring or carpets, professional help is needed, especially if these were submerged underwater.
Sometimes, there is no water or power to facilitate cleaning or the use of electrical equipment like water pumps. Servicemaster teams can bring their own generators and fresh water supply for an added cost. The company charges around P4,000 for labor and P2,000 for equipment to clean up a 150 to 200 square meter area. They also offer landscaping, pest control, ground maintenance, and facility services.
4. Assess the damage.
Decide what to keep, what to repair, and what to throw away.
Take note of your budget and prioritize which rooms or furniture you want to save. Take note that you can survive without a lot of things, so it might help to stick to the essentials. Fernandez said sometimes it is cheaper to replace items than to repair them. It could also be cheaper in the long run to repair furniture en masse than if you do it piecemeal.
If you need to seek a professional opinion on which possessions to save, be sure to get a second opinion from someone you trust.
If something is swollen, such as laminated flooring, chances are they can't be used again. Laminated wood is common in the Philippines because of an existing log-ban. These materials are spongy and get warped when they are saturated. Concrete houses, however, can withstand a lot of water pressure.
Air-drying furniture is excellent, says Duplayna, but professional equipment can speed up the job. Carpets and upholstery are trickier to repair, but professional services can offer drying services. Servicemaster, for example, has a heavy-duty blow-dryer that can clean out a 100-square meter floor in over 2 hours.
5. Spot check.
Address lingering problems like foul smell from festering fungi or bacteria, which usually form on moist surfaces. Grease, oil, and mud can also add to this problem.
Consult with a serviceman which chemicals can best be used to address these problems. Servicemaster, for example, offers a range of chemicals that address certain needs. Their exclusive line for clients include odor shields that prevent foul smells, quick-dry sprays for carpets, extraction cleaners for waterlogged carpets, and a moisture-testing device that detects whether wood or fabrics have retained moisture underneath.
6. Renovate when you need to.
Consider constructing an attic or putting storage spaces on higher floors as pre-emptive measures.
Renovate only after careful consideration or upon recommendation by a professional surveyor.
Get a municipal permit for building renovations, only if the cost of renovation is more than P50,000.

Read the full article here.

8 Personal ways to help - by Anton Diaz

2009-10-02T23:34:00.000+08:00

Blogger Anton Diaz of ourawesomeplanet.com lists 8 concrete ways to help in your personal way:

1. Just Help Anonymously
2. Support your socio-civic organization's efforts like Oplan Damayan from Manila Jaycees
3. Support your Alma Mater's relief efforts
4. For Corporations, please donate your products, especially the consumer goods companies.
5. Support TULONG KABATAAN
6. Donate CASH personally to people you know who are affected, especially your friends, clients, or co-workers.
7. Donate your OLD Clothes!
8. Launch your own project like "Philippines Survival Guide (to the End of the World)"!

He cites two helpful reference sites for people who want to donate relief goods:

Manuel L. Quezon III on how to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.

Google Spreadsheet on How / Where to Help Out The Ondoy Victims.

Read his full blog post here.

make sure everyone you know has seen "home"

2009-10-02T22:25:00.000+08:00

Video above shows the 3-minute trailer. Watch the full film here.

In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it's too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth's riches and change its patterns of consumption.

"Home" is a quiet documentary on the state of the Earth, with aerial shots of mountains, forests, cities, farmlands filmed by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Beautiful vistas, worth a look even for just the visual treat. It has been translated into 20 languages and was released simultaneously in cinemas, on television, on DVD and on Internet in over 50 countries around the globe on June 5th 2009 the World Environment Day. The English version is narrated by Glenn Close.

I hailed this movie to family and friends as "life-changing". Sat through it twice in one weekend (first time alone, the second with my parents), only to sit through it again the following weekend to make sure my brothers watched it until the end (the last few minutes are critical!). I've given copies to friends and our office staff--and I will keep urging people to watch it until the message comes across: Our earth is dying. We can't sit idly and worry about our own concerns anymore. Each of our spheres of influence has gotten wider--whether by our choice or not--and to maintain that climate change is a hoax or that it won't affect us is to lie to ourselves.

The film is a tribute to our earth--it's non-alarmist and doesn't end with doomsday themes to make us paralyzed with depression or fear. It gives us hope, but does so with urgency: we must do our part.

Director Arthus-Bertrand insists that the movie remain free, and his team has created so much material for educators to use with it. Wrote more about the project in have you seen "home"?

How to donate from abroad tax-free

2009-10-02T17:13:00.001+08:00

Passing along information to clarify the rules on Tax-exempt Donations, sent by Connie Gomez Valdes to a mailing list:

Dear Friends:

I called DSWD to clarify rules on goods donations. I have read a lot of angry mails condemning government and NDCC regarding incompetence and mismanagement in this time of tragedy. No offense meant to anyone, but instead of being negative, can we just contribute positively to the chaos without hurting people or calling people names.

In my own small way I called DSWD personally to clarify the rules. Below is the response of Elma Pille who is in charge of importations in DSWD.

She also informed me that we can directly send donations to PNRC if we want and it will be tax exempt. However, definitely used clothing is not allowed without endorsement of DSWD. The limitation however is that it must be an NGO receiving the items not an individual.

I also called PNRC and spoke to the one in charge of logistics. Rules are as follows:

1. Show letter on intent that the goods from abroad are intended for PNRC National Headquarters.
2. Packing list showing content of goods. If food please indicate expiry date and put FRAGILE.
3. Airway bill.

PNRC will coordinate with Dept of Finance for release of goods...tax exempt.

Tel Nos:

DSWD 9316146/9318101 local 360 - Elma Pille
PNRC - 5270000 ask for Susan
5217229 ask for Mrs. Lita

Let's help one another okay? Mabuhay ang Pilipinas - and Please pray!

Thanks
connie

********************************************************************
Below is an email from Elma Pille:
********************************************************************

Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 06:01:16 -0500
Subject: Clarification on Foreign Donation

Ma'm,
This is to clarify your queries on foreign donations.

* There are two (2) import facilities to release foreign donations - the special import facility under Presidential Memorandum Order No. 36 (PMO 36) and the regular import facility under Section 105 (l) of the Revised Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).
* PMO 36 is utilized for importations intended for distribution to calamity areas and donors are encourage to consign the goods to DSWD. The duty and taxes accruing to importation cleared under PMO 36 are shouldered by the Office of the President.
* The regular import facility provides duty free importation by DSWD registered/licensed/accredited social welfare and still subject to 12% VAT..
* Used clothing is prohibited as per RA No. 4653, thus the Bureau of Customs seize/apprehend said importation.
* Both import facilities require submission of the bill of lading, packing list or invoice, deed of donation duly authenticated by Philippine Consular Office from point of origin to the DSWD as the recommending Office for availment of the duty free privilege.
* Importation consigned to any private entity is considered a regular importation subject to duty and taxes.

Please feel free to call me should you have other inquiries.
Elma

Climate change update from UNEP as of Sept24,2009

2009-10-02T16:59:00.000+08:00

This new report from the United Nation Environment Progamme says the impacts of climate change are coming faster and sooner, making it all the more urgent for governments to address climate change issues NOW.

...the newly emerging science points to some events thought likely to occur in longer-term time horizons, as already happening or set to happen far sooner than had previously been thought.

Pressing concerns include "ocean acidification linked with the absorption of carbon dioxide in seawater and the impact on shellfish and coral reefs" (happening decades earlier than existing models predict, and melting glaciers, ice-sheets and the Polar Regions (example: the Greenland ice sheet is melting 60 percent higher than the previous record of 1998), which can cause sea levels to rise by up to two metres by 2100 and five to ten times that over following centuries. The report says "thresholds or tipping points may now be reached in a matter of years or a few decades including dramatic changes to the Indian sub-continent's monsoon, the Sahara and West Africa monsoons, and climate systems affecting a critical ecosystem like the Amazon rainforest."

Damaging and irreversible impacts as a result of the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere include:
- Losses of tropical and temperate mountain glaciers affecting perhaps 20 percent to 25 percent of the human population in terms of drinking water, irrigation and hydro-power.
- Shifts in the hydrological cycle resulting in the disappearance of regional climates with related losses of ecosystems, species and the spread of drylands northwards and southwards away from the equator.

The good news is there is hope:

Recent science suggests that it may still be possible to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. However, this will only happen if there is immediate, cohesive and decisive action to both cut emissions and assist vulnerable countries adapt.

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, says: "This Climate Change Science Compendium is a wake-up call. The time for hesitation is over. We need the world to realize, once and for all, that the time to act is now and we must work together to address this monumental challenge. This is the moral challenge of our generation."

See Impacts of Climate Change coming faster and sooner: New science report underlines urgency for governments to seal the deal in Copenhagen. Click here for the full UNEP report.

Disaster preparedness: What each can do

2009-10-02T16:36:00.000+08:00

Got this in the mail. Sharing for everyone's reference:

Prevention

· Boil your drinking water (Upon reaching boiling point, extend boiling for two or more minutes)
· Do water disinfection by use of chlorine or iodine tablets (ask your local drug store).
· Wash hands before preparing food and after using the toilet.
· Avoid wading in floodwater. If you must, wear rubber boots.
· Clean-up all possible mosquito breeding sites, such as vases, empty coconut shells, old tires and tin cans.

What to Do In Case of Another Flood

· Stay inside a house or building during heavy rains.
· Avoid wading and taking baths in floodwaters.
· When a flood advisory is issued, residents in low lying areas should seek for higher grounds.
· Avoid crossing low-lying areas and bridges during evacuation.

Disaster/Emergencies Supplies

· Store all items in a dry plastic box container with cover to keep all these items stored (a plastic cooler would also do nicely). Keep all items store in a cool dry place. All household members should know its location.

* Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
* Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
* Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
* Avoid salty foods, as they will make you thirsty.
* Food keeper or resealable plastic
* Choose foods your family will eat.
* Ready-to-eat canned or plastic-packed meats, fruits and vegetables
* Protein or fruit bars
* Dry cereal or granola
* Peanut butter
* Dried fruit
* Nuts
* Crackers / biscuits
* Canned juices
* Non-perishable pasteurized milk
* High energy foods
* Vitamins
* Food for infants
* Comfort/stress foods - snacks
* Store at least a three-day supply of water per person.
* 5 liters of water per person per day, for drinking.
* Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water.
* Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
* Aspirin for pain
* Paracetamol for pain
* Anti-diarrhea medication
* Antacid (for upset stomach)
* Laxative
* Mosquito repellant
* Antihistamine for allergies (optional)
* Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
* Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
* Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (surgical gloves)
* Sterile gause to stop bleeding.
* Micropore tape
* Cleansing agent (providone iodine)
* Isoprophyl aclcohol (70%)
* Soap
* disinfectant wipes
* Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
* Burn ointment to prevent infection.
* Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
* Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
* Thermometer
* Flash light
* Battery operated radio
* Batteries for flashlight and radio
* Cellphone fully charge batteries + fully charged etra batteries
* Extra sim (prepaid from different carriers Smart, Globe Sun, TM, PLDT, etc.)
* Emergency contact numbers (laminated with plastic)
* - this is a suggestion from PNRC personnel to keep dry, seal/protect cellphones and other important items from water damage
* - soak in baby powder to remove lubricant, remove excess powder then insert the electronic item and others, tie a knot to seal the latex container
* Pencil and notepad
* Candle and lighter
* Scissors
* Utility knife (swiss knife)
* Whistle to call for help
* VHF 2-way radio (optional)
* Bleach (Chlorox , Xonrox, etc) as disinfectant
* Life vest or floatation device (optional, if you expect flooding)
* Cleaning rags
* Garbage bags

How to Save a Flood-Damaged Car Engine

2009-10-01T15:41:00.002+08:00

UPDATE as of November 6, 2009: This article was forwarded with no byline to different mailing lists in the Philippines during the height of the Typhoon Ondoy aftermath. The only reference made was that it came from someone who worked in Toyota. The original author, Kristara, has called my attention on the non-attributed article, which has been removed from this site.

Climate change awareness: do your part

2009-10-01T14:46:00.000+08:00

Global environmental expert Nicky Perlas recently appeared on ANC to talk about Climate Change and Typhoon Ondoy. He confirmed one thing most of us already knew to be true but hoped against: that Super Typhoon Ondoy is just the first of many. Global warming is upon us, and now is not the time to be in self-denial and dillydally.

What can we do?

Here's a great suggestion from Roy Cabonegro, Sec-Gen of the Partido Kalikasan Metro Manila:

Each of us has communities. Many of these were affected by the flooding.

The flooding is both induced by climate change and because of our lack of preparedness as communities for necessary adaptation measures for more of this that is now inevitable due to the ill effects of climate change and our bad governance.

In each of our barangays, town/cities, province and region, as we become more organized and link together, citizens must claim our right for appropriate immediate and long term plans, programs and actions for climate change adaptation. Such adaptation measures must be specific to each community and sufficiently financed.

Let us do that now. Let us involve ourselves in direct governance now!

Those who live in Paranaque, Las Pinas, City of Manila, Pateros, Taguig, Pasig, Makati, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Antipolo, Tanay, San Mateo, Montalban-- we are mobilizing local PK MM chapters in these areas now to engage our LGUs (barangay up) to work on this. We need to work together on this.

Contact us (roy@partidokalikasan.org)

Thanks

Roy Cabonegro
Sec-Gen, Partido Kalikasan Metro Manila

Situationer: Map of affected areas

2009-10-01T13:55:00.000+08:00

MapAction is an emergency mapping service based in the UK. It deployed a team that arrived in Manila on September 28, Monday, to help "provide situation information for national and international aid agencies responding to the emergency."

Found these maps through ReliefWeb.

Affected population Metro Manila and adjacent provinces (as of 30 September 2009)
Total affected people 2.25 million, 736,000 in shelters as reported by NDCC

Affected Population by City or Municipality (as of 30 September 2009)
White space means "no report" and not "none affected". The hatched region shows the areas covered in the Flash Appeal.

Foreign media coverage of Typhoon Ondoy from Sept. 26-Oct 1,2009

2009-10-01T13:34:00.000+08:00

ReliefWeb was an invaluable resource when I worked as a researcher for a company engaged in international development. In one go, it let me tap into an updated library of news articles, press releases, official statements from different aid organizations and governments.

Sharing below the list of documents written by these aid groups about the Philippines since Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) hit last Saturday, September 26, 2009:

DATE

SOURCE

DOCUMENT TITLE

01 Oct 2009	COH	Responding to Samoan tsunami and Philippine typhoon
01 Oct 2009	Church Mission Society	Philippines: ‘they have nothing now’
01 Oct 2009	Thai Red Cross	Donation of help typhoon victims in the Philippines
01 Oct 2009	Chr. Aid	Philippines floods
01 Oct 2009	Philippine RC	Philippines: PNRC mobilizes volunteers for relief operation and clean up drive in Quezon City and Marikina
01 Oct 2009	CRS	Wave of destruction hits Asia-Pacific region
01 Oct 2009	CMMB	CMMB providing emergency relief for the Philippines, Indonesia and the Samoas
01 Oct 2009	AmeriCares	Philippines: AmeriCares helping survivors of Typhoon Ketsana
01 Oct 2009	AmeriCares	Asia: AmeriCares ready to respond to back-to-back disasters
01 Oct 2009	ACT	Philippines: ACT in worst-hit areas of Manila
01 Oct 2009	ACF-USA	ACF launches emergency response in Philippines
01 Oct 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 16 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
01 Oct 2009	USAID	Philippines: Tropical Storm Fact Sheet #1 (FY 2009)
01 Oct 2009	Reuters - AlertNet	Asia typhoon toll 350, floods in Vietnam, Cambodia
30 Sep 2009	MTI	Medical Teams International helps disaster survivors in Philippines, Samoa
30 Sep 2009	CRS	Catholic Relief Services responds to four emergencies in one week
30 Sep 2009	AAH-UK	Philippines: Action Against Hunger launches emergency response
30 Sep 2009	SOS KI	Philippines: Help after typhoon
30 Sep 2009	AmeriCares	Typhoons in the Philippines and Vietnam, earthquake in Indonesia, tsunami in Samoa heighten need for disaster relief
30 Sep 2009	ECHO	Typhoon Ketsana: Commission provides fast-track humanitarian funding for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
30 Sep 2009	CARE	CARE expands response to Typhoon Ketsana in Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines
30 Sep 2009	OCHA	Philippines: Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) Situation Report No. 2
30 Sep 2009	MapAction	(MAP) Philippines: Tropical Storms forecast (as of 30 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	CRWRC	CRWRC helps bring aid to Philippine typhoon survivors
30 Sep 2009	MapAction	(MAP) Philippines: Tropical Storms - Affected Population (as of 30 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	CARE	CARE emergency teams on standby after Indonesia quake
30 Sep 2009	MapAction	(MAP) Philippines: Tropical Storms - Affected population Metro Manila and adjacent provinces (as of 30 Sep 09)
30 Sep 2009	AFP	Typhoon Ketsana kills 331 across Southeast Asia
30 Sep 2009	AECID	España envía ayuda humanitaria a Filipinas
30 Sep 2009	UNICEF	Tropical storm triggers flood crisis in the Philippines
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 15 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
30 Sep 2009	CIDA; Govt. Canada	Canada pledges support in response to tropical storms in South East Asia
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Germany	Federal Foreign Office provides humanitarian aid for victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy in the Philippines
30 Sep 2009	WHO	Health Action in Crises - Highlights No. 273, 21 - 27 Sep 2009
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Viet Nam	Typhoon "Ondoy" destroys nearly 200,000 tons of rice in Philippines
30 Sep 2009	International Charter; SERTIT	(MAP) Philippines: Angat river area - Water bodies (as of 26 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	UNEP; OCHA	Hazard Identification Tool: Tropical Storm Ketsana - Philippines, 30 Sep 2009
30 Sep 2009	IFRC	Viet Nam: Lives saved, livelihoods destroyed
30 Sep 2009	IFRC	Four deadly disasters strike Asia Pacific
30 Sep 2009	MERCY	Mercy Malaysia reponds to humanitarian needs in Manila - Tropical Storm Ketsana
30 Sep 2009	JICA	JICA sends emergency assistance to the Philippines as massive winds and rain continue to batter the Pacific region
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: PGMA declares state of calamity in NCR, 27 provinces
30 Sep 2009	AusAID	Australia provides assistance as natural disasters strike the region
30 Sep 2009	ReliefWeb	(MAP) Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) (as of 30 Sep 2009) - Location Map
30 Sep 2009	HI	Philippines: Mobilisation après le passage du typhon Ketsana
30 Sep 2009	IRIN	Philippines: Ketsana underscores climate change imperative
30 Sep 2009	Xinhua	China hikes donation to Philippine storm victims to 140,000 USD
30 Sep 2009	World Vision	Aid workers scramble to assist storm victims across three countries
30 Sep 2009	Tropical Storm Risk	(MAP) Typhoon Ketsana: Past and Forecast Track (as of 29 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	ECHO	European Commission decision on the financing of primary emergency humanitarian actions in the Philippines from the general budget of the European Communities (ECHO/PHL/BUD/2009/02000)

30 Sep 2009	IFRC	Philippines: Typhoon Ketsana DREF Operation No. MDRPH005
30 Sep 2009	ISCGM	(MAP) Global Map of and around Manila, the Philippines - Land Use (as of 30 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	ISCGM	(MAP) Global Map of and around Manila, the Philippines - Population (as of 30 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	MapAction	(MAP) Philippines: Tropical Storms - Reference Map of administrative areas of Metropolitan Manila (as of 30 Sep 2009)
30 Sep 2009	AlertNet	Typhoon-hit Philippines: could more have been done?
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: PGMA to visit two towns and Legazpi City in Albay province today
30 Sep 2009	AFP	US troops to help Philippine flood victims: ambassador
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Japan	Philippines: Japan delivers PhP 10m emergency assistance for Tropical Storm Ondoy victims
30 Sep 2009	ADB	ADB pledges $3 million for Philippines flood victims
30 Sep 2009	Caritas	Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand pledges $25,000 to Philippines flooding
30 Sep 2009	AFP	Tears and resilience at flooded Philippine hospital
30 Sep 2009	AFP	Philippines braces for more storms
30 Sep 2009	Oxfam	Samoa Tsunami: Oxfam ready to respond
30 Sep 2009	Direct Relief	Emergency aid expands to Vietnam in Ketsana’s wake
30 Sep 2009	DPA	Frustration mounts among Philippine flood victims
30 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 14 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
30 Sep 2009	UN GA; UNHRC	Analytical study on human rights and transitional justice: Addendum - Inventory of human rights and transitional justice aspects of recent peace agreements (A/HRC/12/18/Add.1)
30 Sep 2009	AusRC	Typhoon Ketsana appeal 2009 (Philippines and Viet Nam)
30 Sep 2009	SC	Children left terrified after Typhoon Ketsana hits Vietnam
30 Sep 2009	SC	As new storms approach, Save the Children moves quickly to assist children and families affected by Philippines flooding
30 Sep 2009	UMCOR	UMCOR Hotline 29 Sep 2009: Philippines
30 Sep 2009	AAI	Philippines - Tropical Storm Ondoy response
30 Sep 2009	AusRC	Australian Red Cross launches appeal for Typhoon Ketsana survivors
30 Sep 2009	ADRA	Tropical storm Ketsana floods Philippines: ADRA responds
30 Sep 2009	OCHA	Philippines: Tropical Storm Ketsana “Ondoy” Situation Report #1
29 Sep 2009	ISDR	Philippines: Typhoon Ondoy - Realities on the ground deserve priority for action
29 Sep 2009	Logistics Cluster; WFP	(MAP) Philippines: Overview of region with most affected persons (as of 29 Sep 2009)
29 Sep 2009	International Charter; UNOSAT	(MAP) Flood Affected Areas in Metro Manila Region and Rizal Province, Philippines (as of 29 Sep 2009)
29 Sep 2009	DFO	(MAP) Philippines: Current Flood Water (since 25 Sep 2009)
29 Sep 2009	WER	WER responds with emergency aid to Philippines flood crisis
29 Sep 2009	HelpAge	Philippines: HelpAge's partner responds to floods in Manila
29 Sep 2009	BWAid	Philippines: Devastating typhoons hit Asia
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Thailand	Philippines: PM orders aid to flood-hit residents
29 Sep 2009	AECID	Ayuda humanitaria española a Filipinas
29 Sep 2009	NOAA	(MAP) Typhoon Ketsana (as of 29 Sep 2009)
29 Sep 2009	ITHACA; WFP	(MAP) Philippines - Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) - Affected population as of National Disaster Coordinating Council SitRep No.13 (Sep 29th, 2009)
29 Sep 2009	BRC	Red Cross launches Philippines floods appeal as further devastation predicted
29 Sep 2009	Am. RC	Red Cross responds to flood-ravaged communities in Philippines and Vietnam
29 Sep 2009	PDA	Situation report Philippines - Typhoon Ondoy
29 Sep 2009	ICRC	Philippines: Responding to the needs of flood victims
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Cambodia; MRC	General weather situation over Lower Mekong Basin 29 Sep 2009
29 Sep 2009	Oxfam	Typhoon Ketsana relief work
29 Sep 2009	ECHO	Typhoon Ketsana: Commission aids the Philippines; ready to help Vietnam and Laos
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 13 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
29 Sep 2009	Singapore RC	Singapore Red Cross assists in restoring family links for survivors of Philippines floods
29 Sep 2009	WFP	Statement by WFP Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, on devastation in the Philippines following deadly storm
29 Sep 2009	Reuters - AlertNet	Typhoon kills 32 in Vietnam; Philippine toll at 246
29 Sep 2009	IRIN	Asia: Mekong nations brace for Typhoon Ketsana
29 Sep 2009	NOAA	(MAP) Tropical Cyclone Warning - Ketsana (as of 29 Sep 2009)
29 Sep 2009	IRIN	Philippines: Flood survivors face misery and hardship

29 Sep 2009	AFP	Food, experts fly in after Philippines flood aid appeal
29 Sep 2009	ReliefWeb	(MAP) Philippines: Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) (as of 29 Sep 2009) - Location Map
29 Sep 2009	Caritas	Cáritas Filipinas activa un plan de emergencia para atender a 50.000 afectados por el tifon "Ketsana"
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: DFA issues guidelines to foreign service posts on assistance from overseas Filipino communities for those affected by Typhoon 'Ondoy
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: UN assures Manila of assistance after Romulo conveys PGMA appeal
29 Sep 2009	ADB	ADB President offers condolences and assistance to Philippine flood victims
29 Sep 2009	NZ Red Cross	Typhoon Ketsana hits northern Philippines
29 Sep 2009	Philippine RC	Philippines: Red Cross volunteers assist victims of Typhoon Ondoy
29 Sep 2009	AFP	3,000 people, one toilet for Philippine flood survivors
29 Sep 2009	Caritas AU	Philippines: Caritas delivers aid to 50,000 as debris and flooding stalls relief effort
29 Sep 2009	UMCOR	UMCOR responds to Philippines Typhoon
29 Sep 2009	AusAID; Govt.Australia	Philippines: Australia to help victims of tropical storm Ondoy
29 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 12 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
29 Sep 2009	CRS	Philippines flooding: CRS aids Typhoon survivors, provides $250,000 in immediate assistance to evacuees
29 Sep 2009	OpUSA	Operation USA to send aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Ketsana devastates Manila
29 Sep 2009	MTI	Medical Teams International helps Filipino typhoon survivors
28 Sep 2009	CWS	Philippines Floods: CWS Situation Report 28 Sep 2009
28 Sep 2009	SC	Save the Children provides relief to children and families affected by Philippines flooding
28 Sep 2009	Direct Relief	Direct relief offering medical aid in response to flooding in Philippines
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 11 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
28 Sep 2009	WFP	WFP straight into action in flood-hit Philippines
28 Sep 2009	DP	Flooding in the Philippines: Development and peace announces $50,000 initial emergency relief donation
28 Sep 2009	OBI	OBI launches emergency disaster relief in Manila to aid from "Hurricane Katrina of the Philippines"
28 Sep 2009	ShelterBox	ShelterBox readies response to Philippines typhoon
28 Sep 2009	UNICEF	Philippines: UNICEF provides immediate assistance to children affected by tropical storm Ondoy
28 Sep 2009	CARE	CARE emergency teams in Vietnam and Laos brace for Typhoon Ketsana
28 Sep 2009	TSF	Tropical storm in the Philippines: TSF deploys to the affected zone
28 Sep 2009	AmeriCares	AmeriCares sends aid to the Philippines to help Ketsana survivors
28 Sep 2009	ITHACA; WFP	(MAP) Philippines - Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy) - Affected population as of National Disaster Coordinating Council SitRep No.9 (Sep 28th, 2009)
28 Sep 2009	IFRC	Typhoon Ketsana: Rescue teams save hundreds in Metro Manila as Viet Nam prepares for the worst
28 Sep 2009	IRIN	Philippines: Government appeals for international help
28 Sep 2009	Reuters - AlertNet	Philippines: Manila hit over aid delay after storm kills 140
28 Sep 2009	WFP	WFP provides vital food assistance to Philippines flood victims following deadly storm
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 10 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
28 Sep 2009	Philippine RC	Philippines: Gordon sends rubber boats to flooded areas in Metro Manila
28 Sep 2009	Philippine RC	PNRC receives donations from good-hearted Filipinos
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: DSWD continues to assist victims of typhoon "Ondoy"
28 Sep 2009	ACT	ACT Alert Philippines no. 25/2009: Tropical storm Ketsana
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: Malacañang becomes relief center for "Ondoy" victims
28 Sep 2009	Caritas	Caritas targets 50,000 people in Philippines after devastating flooding
28 Sep 2009	IFRC	(MAP) Philippines: Tropical cyclone Ondoy (Ketsana) (as of 29 Sep 2009)
28 Sep 2009	WHO	WHO to provide US$42 000 for Philippines flood victims
28 Sep 2009	AFP	Recent major natural disasters in Philippines
28 Sep 2009	AFP	International community to aid flood-hit Philippines
28 Sep 2009	Oxfam	Philippines' floods: Oxfam sends in aid team and suspends long-term work to respond to crisis
28 Sep 2009	AHRC	Philippines: An appeal to help flood victims and desperately needed improvements to the public warning systems
28 Sep 2009	AFP	Philippines cannot cope with flood disaster: govt
28 Sep 2009	CRS	Philippines flooding: CRS aids typhoon survivors, provides $50,000 in immediate assistance to evacuees
28 Sep 2009	ReliefWeb	(MAP) Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) (as of 26 Sep 2009) - Location Map
28 Sep 2009	Tropical Storm Risk	(MAP) Typhoon Ketsana: Past and Forecast Track (as of 28 Sep 2009)

28 Sep 2009	Oxfam	Flooding in the Philippines highlights urgency of climate leadership
28 Sep 2009	World Vision	Philippines: World Vision aims to reach 100,000 people in flood-hit Manila
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: PGMA condoles with families of Mt. Arayat landslide victims
28 Sep 2009	Xinhua	China donates 10,000 USD to Philippine storm victims
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	RP gets immediate assistance from international community
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Japan	Letter of sympathy from Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and emergency relief on the damages caused by the typhoon in the Republic of the Philippines
28 Sep 2009	AFP	Flood-ravaged Philippine capital on alert for disease
28 Sep 2009	HOPE worldwide	Tropical Storm Ondoy flooded the Philippines as HOPE worldwide bringing assistance
28 Sep 2009	AFP	New storms may hit Philippines: forecaster
28 Sep 2009	Caritas AU	Caritas opens appeal as flood damage assessed in Philippines
28 Sep 2009	WWF	Philippine floods stress the human element in Bangkok climate talks
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 9 on Humanitarian Coordinations on Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
28 Sep 2009	AFP	Philippines asks world for help as flood toll hits 140
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: Gov’t hospitals to remain on 24-hour alert for Ondoy victims - DOH
28 Sep 2009	SC	Save the Children moves rapidly to assist children, families affected by Philippines flooding
28 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 8 on Humanitarian Coordinations on TS "Ondoy"
28 Sep 2009	DPA	Death toll hits 144 as tropical storm hits Philippines
28 Sep 2009	Reuters - AlertNet	Philippines govt seeks typhoon aid, battles to avoid backlash
27 Sep 2009	IFRC	Philippines: Rescue teams save hundreds from floods in Metro Manila
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: PGMA orders Cabinet members to help in the rescue and relief efforts for typhoon victims
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: Victims of typhoon 'Ondoy' need help says DSWD Chief
27 Sep 2009	Philippine RC	Philippines: Tropical Storm "Ondoy" continues to loom as it moves to Central Luzon
27 Sep 2009	Philippine RC	Philippines: PNRC deploys WASAR teams to Cainta and Marikina
27 Sep 2009	OCHA	Philippines Humanitarian Situation Update, 27 Sep 2009
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 6 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
27 Sep 2009	IRIN	Philippines: More than 70 killed in Philippine floods
27 Sep 2009	AFP	Philippine storm leaves 52 dead, 280,000 homeless: govt
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 5 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 4 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
27 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 7 on Humanitarian Coordination on TS "Ondoy"
26 Sep 2009	DPA	Hundreds flee their homes amid storm in Philippines
26 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 1 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy" Full_Report.pdf
26 Sep 2009	MISNA	Philippines: Communist revolt, peace prospects make peace more distant
26 Sep 2009	AFP	Massive floods as storm approaches Philippines
26 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 2 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy" Full_Report.pdf
26 Sep 2009	Govt. Philippines	Philippines: NDCC Update - Situation Report No. 3 on the effects of Tropical Storm "Ondoy"
25 Sep 2009	UNEP	Impacts of Climate Change coming faster and sooner: New science report underlines urgency for governments to seal the deal in Copenhagen Full_Report.pdf

Foreign Aid as of October 1, 2009

2009-10-01T13:20:00.000+08:00

The OCHA lists all commitments/contributions and pledges to the Philippines for Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) as of 01 October 2009 as follows:

Total Funding (Contributions + Commitments): USD 1,668,123
Total Uncommitted Pledges (Non-binding announcements of an intended contribution or allocation by donors): USD 3,147,698

That's about USD4.8M or Php240M in foreign aid from the UN (UNICEF, WFP, WHO), Australia, Catholic Relief Services, European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office, Germany, Japan, Mercy Malaysia, OXFAm, Singapore, USA, and World Vision.

See the original document from reliefweb.int here.

What you can do

2009-10-01T06:38:00.000+08:00

Thanks for dropping by. We're all doing our part to help, so whatever it is that drove you to lend a hand, cultivate it, take care of it. Don't let your passion flatten out or fall back into fatigue or retreat.

Check out the sections on situationers, relief solutions, and how else to help to see if you can contribute firsthand to the various initiatives being done. Maybe somewhere along the way, you even find yourself inspired to start your own project! The idea is to share, share, share. I remembered an advice given by my theology teacher in college: Go where you're most hppy, and where you're most needed. Your joy is the joy of others, and vice versa.

If you wish, you may also help right here on this site:

1. Brainstorm. Put in your two cents (centavos, if you will). Ideas are gems...let's mine them! But we must first locate them, put them out there: Share your thoughts on what you think our problems are, and how we can address them.

2. Help maintain this blog. I'm online as much as I can, but I can only do so much. If you can help monitor news sites, blogs, facebook groups, mailing lists, please raise your hand and send me a message! If you want to help create content, even better! :))))

We can do this! Para sa bayan!

Citizens Action on Ondoy

2009-10-01T04:10:00.000+08:00

Rc Mac started the facebook group Citizens Action on Ondoy to encourage a dialogue that will draw out concrete next steps for government based on the collective experience of Filipinos during Typhoon Ondoy:

Let not our stories go to waste. Let's post them here and consolidate it towards creating a CITIZENS' REPORT. Share your insights and recommendations for the government and the private sector.

Join this group now. Let's share with a clear purpose, a specific output.

-----------------------------------

What are the objectives of this report?

1. Consolidate STORIES and INSIGHTS of the people during and after the recent disaster.

2. Assess the GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE to the calamity based on the PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES.

3. Provide objective RECOMMENDATIONS to the government and various sectors to increase our competency on disaster preparedness.

4. MONITOR the response to and actual IMPLEMENTATION of the recommendations presented by the people.

Volunteerism in the age of Facebook, Twitter

2009-10-01T03:56:00.000+08:00

Volunteerism in the age of Facebook, Twitter
by Anna Bueno, Newsbreak contributor | 09/29/2009 3:38 AM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/youth/09/28/09/volunteerism-age-facebook-twitter

MANILA - If you entered the Ateneo de Manila University's covered courts on September 28, Monday -- barely two days after typhoon Ondoy flooded Manila -- you would think there was a concert or a grand general assembly going on.

There wasn't.

The multitude of people present was this university's version of Filipino bayanihan, one borne out of repeated pleas for donations and volunteers through Twitter, Plurk, and Facebook, and one that broke our so-called culture of apathy.

It was difficult not to get involved. Two days before, on Saturday, those of us online received word of stranded friends in Ateneo after Katipunan Avenue succumbed to a deluge, rendering the road impassable.
Ondoy then was starting to flood the metro, at a rate that would soon be marked as one of the fastest in Philippine history.

Friends stranded in Ateneo, and even we who were safe at home, lost their cellphone signals, and resorted to posting status messages on our Plurk, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

In my case, my Facebook was flooded with messages and status updates of friends requesting that we contact their families to see if they were safe, and vice versa.

While I feared for my friends who were stranded, and those who had family members missing, I was equally thankful for those kind souls who offered help on the Web.

Before I knew it, Facebook became a live, updated stream not of quiz results or game updates, but rather of Ateneans -- and non-Ateneans, too -- helping each other contact family members, sending calls for rescue, or soliciting donations for the relief operations that were immediately established in our student leadership center.

This is the same building where our stranded schoolmates slept for the night.

If you compiled all the updates on Facebook, you would not even need to read the news websites. Everything was there: everyone was posting snippets of information; everyone was telling each other where a person could be found; everyone was recommending what would be the best way to help, or otherwise searching for a way.

A friend who's now a reporter for TV posted in his Facebook that it was a great time to be a journalist at this time of crisis, when there are a lot of people that can't immediately be reached by the government and would thus need media intervention.

How to help victims of Ondoy

Ateneo de Manila University's Task Force Ondoy: Info on how to help
Other ways to help (via abs-cbnNEWS.com)
More photos of the Ateneo effort from Kevin Tatco's Multiply page
Share stories of heroism and volunteerism in the face of the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy. Send them to Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula.

I say, it is a great time not only to be a journalist, a student, or an Atenean even: it is a great time to be a Filipino. Personal interests are forgotten. Help is enthusiastically offered. And what was important was that people were brought to safety no matter who they were, or whatever background they came from.

The flurry of updates, calls for help, responses to calls for help, carried on in Facebook well into the night. It was hard to sleep with news of block mates whose houses were submerged, or professors whose families are still stranded on the roofs of their houses. But the updates went on.
There were sad stories, as I mentioned. There were happy ones, too: a friend safe and sound in another friend's house, a family rescued by an army truck, news of volunteers gladly helping relief operations in school. The call to participate and do something concrete was not only strong or irresistible. It was what my conscience was pushing me to do.
While posting and reposting updates on Facebook helped in dissemination of information, my hands would be put to better use if I actually helped along with the whole school. I'm sure a lot of us felt the same way, which explained the scene that greeted me today in school this Monday.

The sun was up and shining by the time I arrived in school to volunteer. Students, alumni, personnel -- a whole lot of people -- already were in two lines, each passing a bag of goods to be loaded to a truck.
Most were in blue shirts, in response to the call in Facebook for those who would volunteer. There was a registration booth for all the volunteers. Goods were organized in the different sections of the courts, and one gate was wide open for cars that would bring in donations, and for vans that would be used to transport goods.

Manang's, a cafeteria near Ateneo's covered courts, offered free food for volunteers. Personnel and some students I know who belonged to one school organization cooked lunch for the volunteers. The food and drinks for the volunteers themselves came from donations.

Even after the amazing concern I witnessed online two days before, I was pleasantly surprised to see the love played out before my very eyes. Never before had I encountered so many students willing to lend a hand: to pack instant noodles, help sort out underwear, and lift boxes of goods off to Montalban.

Never before have I seen my classmates, blockmates, friends, raise their hands so enthusiastically when our Sanggunian president asked for volunteers who would clean up the GK villages affected by the flood.
My companions were so eager to be deployed in the areas that they took the initiative to ask those in-charge where they can be deployed in advance, since many volunteers also wanted to go to the affected areas.
Every section of the covered courts -- from the food repacking section, the holding section, the clothes sorting section -- was milling with students who were helping out, and having fun. In the clothes section, for example, some students were enjoying “shopping” clothes for the families who would receive the clothes they were packing.

The food section never ran out of students willing to go around the “conveyor belt” several times to pack food. The students at the “assembly line” -- those who loaded the packed goods to the trucks and vans -- cheered and applauded each other on after each truck had been filled to the brim.

We never ran out of volunteers. You could even say there were too many of us already, that it was advised that some of us transfer to nearby relief centers, or text our companions to bring more relief goods instead, since we were running out.

It was amazing to be part of that crowd working together as one for those in need, and heartwarming to realize that my schoolmates used this day not to make up for class work that was due, but to help.
I have never seen the school like this before.

Two days I ago, I was watching television and was feeling hopeless after seeing a video of a family being carried away by a huge wave of the flood. I still fear for that family. But seeing everyone's energy and generosity today was encouraging. It was something that I would be proud of in years to come, something that changed how I see every person in school, or even those outside it.

Acts of love -- like the one I just saw in full bloom today, in the very community I thought was “apathetic” -- makes me hope, and makes me believe that we can get through this.
About the Author
Anna Bueno is in her fourth year taking up AB Communication at the Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon CIty.

Start Here: A call for artworks to raise funds

2009-10-01T03:52:00.000+08:00

Pre-school teacher Lorra and her friend Elbert have started an arts initiative on facebook called Start Here. A complimentary blog will feature digital artworks (deadline to submit is November 26, 2009) with the goal of mounting an exhibit to raise funds for Ondoy victims:

START HERE is a collection of artwork inspired by Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts that aims, in turn, to inspire others to help in rebuilding the Philippines. The hope is that we can eventually set up an exhibit where we can sell the artworks with the proceeds donated to Ondoy relief efforts, rebuilding programs and calamity risk management programs.

Why art? It is our belief that art is made because we have something to say and this is the perfect time to say something meaningful and in our own special ways. Art moves, not just our hearts but also towards a positive direction that we can choose for ourselves.

Say something. Move with us. Share your art visions of creation and rebuilding.

---

START HERE is open to artists from all over the world who want to help the survivors of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines and inspire the rest of the world through art.

Please keep artworks to 8” x 8”, 300dpi, and save to JPEG or TIFF format. Include your full name, title of the artwork, your short description of the artwork, contact number and e-mail address when you submit to starthere.rebuild@gmail.com.

Submissions will be accepted until November 26, 2009.

What a great, personal way of tapping into the creative energies of hope, and engaging people to TALK!

Foreign donations pour in for victims

2009-10-01T03:06:00.000+08:00

Foreign donations pour in for victims
(The Philippine Star) Updated September 30, 2009 12:00 AM
http://208.184.76.178/Article.aspx?articleId=509833&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nations has responded to the Philippines’ appeal for international humanitarian assistance in the wake of massive devastation wrought by tropical storm “Ondoy” over the weekend.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the UN is preparing the issuance of a flash appeal for emergency assistance from both member states and non-government organizations.

The Philippine Mission to the United Nations said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo met yesterday with the Secretary General to convey President Arroyo’s appeal for international humanitarian assistance.
Romulo also met with Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes at the UN Headquarters shortly after the President issued her appeal for international assistance, through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

“We are heartened by the assurances given by the Secretary General and the Undersecretary General that the United Nations will take positive action on our request for assistance,” said Romulo, who was accompanied in the meeting by Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and Ambassador Libran Cabactulan.

Romulo said the Secretary General expressed his sympathy and condolences to the Philippine government and to the families of the more than 140 people who perished in the floods that also displaced more than 500,000 people in Metro Manila and 25 other provinces.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) also said yesterday it will support relief efforts by the Philippine government by providing vital food rations to around 180,000 Filipinos who are struggling to cope with the impact of Ondoy.

Foreign financial aid
The Australian government, through will give up to A$1 million (about P40 million) in aid to the Philippines as it faces a humanitarian crisis caused by the worst flooding in decades, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Tuesday.

“Australia’s contribution will help with the relief operations of both the Philippine Government and the Philippine National Red Cross, including providing emergency supplies of drinking water, food, clothing, hygiene kits and related essential items,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.

The South Korean government pledged to donate $300,000 worth of relief goods to victims of Ondoy.
Aside from the South Korean government, the chairman and chief executive officer of the South Korean firm OCI Co. Lee Soo-young donated $50,000 cash to the Philippine National Red Cross.

The European Commission is also providing 2 million euros (P140 million) assistance to Ondoy’s victims.
The Chinese government also pledged $100,000 to the relief efforts. This is in addition to the $10,000 donated by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and $30,000 donated by Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc. to the Philippine National Red Cross.

Mobilizing resources
Filipinos across the United States are likewise mobilizing resources to mount an effective humanitarian response for their unfortunate compatriots at home.

The National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFA) issued an appeal for cash or goods for typhoon victims.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa said donations could be coursed through the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The Asian American Initiative, a US-based NGO with major humanitarian programs throughout the Philippines, is working closely with the AmeriCares aid organization to step up shipments of antibiotics and oral rehydration tablets for waterborne diseases.

AmeriCares recently shipped $3.2-million worth of medical aid to the Philippines including painkillers, syringes, medical supplies, hand sanitizers and other lifesaving medications which it said could be used to help survivors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also committed yesterday to donate some $42,000 (P2 million) for the victims of Ondoy.

Aid pours in
The PLDT Group of Companies, including PLDT, Smart, ePLDT and PLDT Smart Foundation, said it has given P10 million worth of aid to victims of Ondoy.

The Davao City government also extended at least P10 million in assistance.

From the Ayala Group, Globe has pledged P1 million each to ABS-CBN and GMA-7, P1 million to Gawad Kalinga, and P2 million worth of goods to Net25, DSWD, and direct to families in Marikina and Rizal areas. It has also set up Libreng Tawag services and hotlines plus Donate-A-Load services for Red Cross. Ayala Aviation has also made a helicopter available to the Red Cross for its rescue and relief efforts.

Nacionalista Party president Sen. Manny Villar said the Tulong Villar Relief Assistance for the victims of Ondoy has delivered 4,023 packs of goods and rescued or transported 3,750 people, bringing the total to 44,773 helped.

“Time is of utmost importance and we want to reach as many people or communities as possible. We have 40 teams dispatched in badly affected areas to provide more help and assistance. Many volunteers are also helping our team’s efforts,” Villar said.

People who need relief and assistance can call the 24-hour Tulong Villar Assistance Hotlines: 0905-3316626 and 0917-4226800.

Meanwhile, evacuees are appealing for sanitary napkins, disposable underwear and diapers to also be included in donations.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies through its 2GO outlets is accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy.
SM Foundation has also activated its calamity response program Operation Tulong Express with donation kiosks set up in all 33 malls nationwide, for the same purpose, while McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila have partnered with ABS-CBN to accept relief goods and donations.

Emergency loans
Government employees in areas affected by Ondoy can apply for emergency loans with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the pension fund for state workers, starting Oct. 1.

GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia announced yesterday that it has allotted P5 billion for the emergency loan program.

Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman Noli de Castro also proposed during a Cabinet meeting yesterday the immediate release of government workers’ year-end bonus to help those affected by Ondoy. – Pia Lee-Brago, Jose Katigbak (STAR Washington bureau), Evelyn Macairan, Reinir Padua, Sheila Crisostomo, Edith Regalado, Mayen Jaymalin, Iris Gonzales

ABS-CBN: How to help

2009-10-01T02:51:00.000+08:00

Tropical Storm Ondoy: How you can help
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/27/09/tropical-storm-ondoy-how-you-can-help
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/27/2009 4:16 PM

Here is a list of ways you can help the victims of tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana).

Donation drop-off points

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
1. National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City
Contact: Mrs. Francon Favian
2. Quezon City Area Disaster Resource Operations Monitoring and Info Center (DROMIC) DSWD Central Office
Contact Rey Martija or Imee Rose Castillo, Tel Nos. 951-7119, 951-2435 or Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera Tel No. 0918-934-5625
3. Manila Area (DSWD-NCR)
San Rafael corner Legarda Streets, Quiapo, Manila
Contact: Dir. Thelsa P. Biolna, Dir. Delia Bauan Tel Nos. 734-8622, 734-8642
ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya
413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 563-002-0111
Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch
Bank: BPI
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 3051-1127-75
Routing code for international cash donations
BOPIPHMM ABS-CBN Branch
Drop off center for in kind donations:
13 Examiner Street or Scout Bayoran, in front of Rembrandt Hotel on Tomas Morato, QC and beside Half Moon Cafe, also on Tomas Morato.

ABS-CBN HOTLINE 416-36-41
ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. toll free number: 1-800-527-2820 (for inquiries on how send donations from overseas)
Or check www.abs-cbnfoundation.com
ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820
Other institutions receiving donations:
UNICEF is accepting cash donations through its Metrobank account: UNICEF C/A 066-7-06631209-3 in response to the victims of tropical storm Ondoy. Call their hotlines at 758-1000 and 758-1442 to find out more ways to send your donations.
CARITAS
Domestic Cash Donations can be deposited through the following CARITAS MANILA bank accounts any branch nationwide:
BANCO DE ORO - Savings Account No. 3970006958
BPI - Savings Account No. 3063-5357-01
CHINABANK - Savings Account No. 103-3099715
METROBANK - Savings Account No. 175-3-17506954-3
RCBC - Savings Account No. 3-000-90221-6
UCPB - Savings Account No. 128-162208-7
SECURITY BANK - Current Account No. 0141-019452-001
For overseas donors, please deposit your donation to Caritas Manila-BPI Dollar Saving Account No. 3064-0033-55.
Or PNB Dollar Savins Account No. 108566600025
Ayala Foundation USA
For US based donors who want tax incentives, you may course your donations through Ayala Foundation USA 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 428,Redwood City, CA 94065, USA or simply click the link (Ayala Foundation USA).

Negros Navigation

from Mr. Edmund Gawchua, Manager
Negros Navigation is now accepting the transfer of relief goods from Mindanao to Manila for free for aid to victims of Ondoy.
Donations can be sent to Negros Navigation stations and offices nationwide.
Links to other ways to send in help:
Manuel L. Quezon's blog: How to help (original on Quezon.ph | Tumblr.com mirror link)
Google Docs: Rescue InfoHub Central | List of Places where to donate (check out one nearest your area, or add a donation center that is not on the list)
Another list of where to donate goods via Bury Me In This Dress blog
Google Maps: Ondoy situation map for Metro Manila, by KaninLamig
Sahana FOSS Disaster Management System http://sahana.kahelos.org/
For ways to donate to the Philippine National Red Cross, check out the PNRC web site
Reach ABS-CBN via these channels:
Multiply: botomoipatrolmo.multiply.com
Twitter: twitter.com/botopatrollers
Facebook: Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo official page | abs-cbnNEWS.com
Email: ireport@abs-cbn.com
SMS/MMS reports: IREPORT to 2366
Bayan Voice BMPM Voice SMS: 411-BMPM (411-2676)

as of 09/30/2009 12:25 PM

Private First Class Venancio Ancheta (Famy, Laguna)

2009-10-01T02:48:00.000+08:00

AFP honors soldier who saved 20 flood victims in Laguna
By James Mananghaya (The Philippine Star) Updated October 01, 2009 12:00 AM
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=510176&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday honored Private First Class Venancio Ancheta, the Army soldier who rescued 20 residents of Famy town in Laguna before being hit by a log and swept away by strong currents.

AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado and Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit and other top military officials paid their respects to the soldier, who died a hero during the onslaught of tropical storm “Ondoy.”

He was posthumously promoted to the rank of corporal and was awarded the bronze cross medal during the send-off ceremony for his remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
His wife Marilou accepted the award, as well as the P100,000 financial assistance.

“The entire AFP is mourning the death of Pfc. Ancheta, and the six others who perished while trying to save the lives of others,” Ibrado said.

For their heroic feat, 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia has promised to build a monument on the exact site where they died.

Ancheta’s remains were flown yesterday to Zamboanga City where he would be buried.

“Here lies another man who showed us what love is at its supreme expression – dying for others, another hero who joined the ranks of many among us who served without reservation. Another life lived to be consumed by his burning desire to ensure that his fellowmen are safe,” an emotional Bangit said.

Cheryl Regua, the wife of Cpl. Adriano Regua, another soldier who died while trying to rescue a comrade, also recalled that while her husband was rescuing residents of Laguna, other soldiers were rescuing them in their house in Tanay, Rizal last Saturday.

Reaching safe ground late Saturday, Cheryl sent him a text message saying, “Buti na lang ligtas tayong lahat (It’s good we are all safe),” unaware of the tragedy that befell her husband.

But she said her consolation now comes from knowing that her husband died in the line of duty, so that others may live.

“Iyon naman talaga ang gusto niya eh (He would have wanted to die that way),” she said.

Five militiamen under Regua’s command also perished after being swept away by strong currents at the height of the storm.

About this blog

2009-10-01T02:28:00.004+08:00

Typhoon Ondoy brought with it so much loss, fear, anger. Galit lahat, finger-pointing has begun, and will only get worse. My brother told me he doesn't want to watch the news anymore, he just gets depressed.

Ordinary citizens are rallying behind something though, something that's mobilizing them and getting them on the streets. Everywhere people are helping--rescuing, donating, packing, cleaning, coordinating, passing on critical information. In one weekend, we have begun talking again, and talking about things that matter--the people around us, our people, us.

First saw this during Cory's wake--Pinoys came out to honor a great woman, a hero to the Filipino nation. Strangers rubbing elbows in the rain, waiting in line for long hours to pay tribute and say goodbye. It seemed that Filipino apathy was finally taking a turn for the better, but I think real motives of people were still hazy then. It wasn't clear why we really took to the streets. Usiseros aside, how many of those who came with good intentions knew what those intentions were, really? Na kinilatis, pinag-isipan, binuo? Why mourn Cory? Who was she to them? What about her and her life did they connect with, that was relevant to them? Some friends who went said they wanted to be part of history... what does that mean?

I'd like to think we went to the streets to mourn Cory because despite our pronunciations that our country is hopeless, that Filipinos don't care anymore, the truth is we do care. We want to care. We were out there looking for hope, and Cory gave us that.

In the aftermath of Ondoy, what happened?

They say that when you take a step towards God, he comes running to you. Maybe the Cory magic was our first step, collectively as a people, towards hope (and love). And here it is now in our midst, in abundance. Hope came running to us.

Let's dwell on hope. The Philippines will need more than material healing from this tragedy, and there will be a time for demanding accountability, but let it be anchored on hope.

We've already started talking to each other again as Filipinos. We're looking each other in the eye, regardless of family, school, occupation, religion, socio-economic class. Let's keep talking to each other. I hope this blog can help safeguard and continue this dialogue for healing--one that is fueled by hope and at the same time channels it.

If you have a story of hope, an insight, a good deed you did or your friends did, please write about it, link it here, or email it to me (montalut at gmail dot com), and I will post it for you. Share links to inspiring stories, news articles, videos, initiatives to help. Let's build an online community to document this great moment in modern Philippine history. This is it, the time is now--and yes, what an amazing time to be a Filipino!

Johanna Pilar
Started October 1, 2009.
manilarat.montalut.com

UPDATE as of June 14, 2010:
They do say all things pass--the best and the worst--and the storm that was Ondoy has passed. I pray that its lessons (and demands) have not been lost on us though....and that the dialogue for healing among ourselves lives on...Or better yet, that it has been translated into living hope, that is fueled by consistent action.

What have you done since September 26, 2009, or what have you done differently since then?

For me, the hoping (and seeking) continues in manilarat, where I still insist on finding beauty in the city (and country!) that we love to hate, and in finding the people who can help make it all happen...go go go tourism development! The green brigade lives on too, which is above all, a shift inside...

Various friends have helped campaign for their candidates for the recent elections; some actually ran (and won, yay!) for government. Others keep on fighting the good fight in NGO's like Gawad Kalinga, and still others wave the Philippine banner in their own smaller circles of friends and families...

Wherever we are, we carry our best intentions for this country with us, so whatever it is you're doing, whether you're primed for the bida role or part of the supporting cast, fight on! You are not alone.

Para sa bayan! We have a new president!

Dealing with trauma after 'Ondoy'

2009-09-30T20:16:00.000+08:00

Dealing with trauma after 'Ondoy'
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20090929/tph-dealing-with-trauma-after-ondoy-85c5a6c.html
ABS-CBN - Wednesday, September 30

MANILA - The damage brought by tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) ruined the lives and homes of thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

At least 246 victims died in the storm, while 38 are missing. Most of those who survived the ensuing floods after the storm hit hardest on September 26 are now at over 207 evacuation centers.

This is a delicate time for many typhoon victims who may have been traumatized by the experience of losing loved ones, losing their homes and valued possessions, and having to rebuild their lives.

"This time, we're dealing with trauma based on a calamity or disaster. So it's very disheartening to know the extent of the damage, not only environmentally but with regard to people's lives," said clinical psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa in an interview on Mornings @ ANC on Tuesday.

Trauma

Dellosa said there are different kinds of trauma based on different emotional incidents in a person's life.
"I've talked to a number of survivors and they have exhibited different types of emotions," he said.
Though they have bravely stepped up to help others during the typhoon, disaster response teams or volunteer rescuers also need help themselves.

"These 'heroes' also need our help. Because some of them may be acting out of their own fears. We call this counter-phobic helping. Just to confront their fears, they start helping people, but deep inside they have anxieties and fears," Dellosa said.

Common reactions experienced by disaster victims are the following:
SHOCK over the suddenness of the disaster, being unprepared for it, and feeling bewildered. Dellosa said there is also a tendency for victims to deny that things were happening to them, even if they were confronted with flood waters and scenes of death and destruction.
ANGER that can be directed towards the disaster, God, others, or themselves. Victims question why disasters happened to them and if they had done anything wrong. They can also feel regret for choosing to live at a certain place, especially when there is great loss.
DEPRESSION after losing property or loved ones. Dellosa said it is natural for victiims to cry profusely, even if they don't know the reason, or to feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. "That's part of the grief of losing so many things," he said.
SURVIVAL GUILT or wondering why they survived and others did not. Victims may feel that others were more worthy of living, or that they did not do enought to help others. This is sometimes accompanied by the feeling that they should have died along with their loved ones.
Further, people surrounding a typhoon victim or survivor are also at risk for developing psychiatric disorders because the experience of dealing with others' losses can be traumatic or make them feel vulnerable.

Telltale signs

Victims can develop anxiety disorders like a panic disorder. Throughout a person's day, they can experience periodic symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, gastric disturbances, and tenseness of the body.
Dellosa said victims can also experience anticipatory anxiety, or the fear that something traumatic will happen again. This can happen, for example, if a typhoon victim gets nervous at the first sight of rain.

Depression can manifest in sudden changes in appetite, energy level, or sleeping patterns.

Victims have difficulty focusing or concentrating, and can even have suicidal tendencies or thoughts - just to escape pain or even to reunite themselves with their loved ones.

"Sometimes they are stoic and do not show emotions. But they are delaying the manifestation of their anxiety. Everyone can experience this, from old to young," Dellosa said, adding that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress.

What to do
He warned those who have relatives of friends who exhibit overwhelming anxiety or depression to seek professional help immediately, or to offer a sympathetic ear so that victims can unload their feelings.
In counseling, this is called a "defusion stage" where victims release pent-up emotions and tell their stories so that healing takes place.

"You have to lower the level of anxiety and terror that they feel. This takes place in the first few hours after the disaster and before they sleep. Allow them to vent and share their stories," Dellosa said.

People should also avoid showing graphic images of calamities to victims because it reinforces their negative feelings. It would also be a good time to mobilize the victim's support system (friends, family, church) to remove feelings of helplesness or lonliness.

Counseling services
Some volunteer organizations like Operation Blessing and the 700 Club Prayer Counseling, a 24-hour telephone ministry, are reportedly offering counseling services to typhoon victims.

Members of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), now deployed at various evacuation centers, offer psychological counseling to typhoon victims as standard procedure to assess victims' needs.

"We call it psychological first aid. It means guiding the victims, letting them talk about their experience and, of course, give guidance. Let them release whatever it is they feel," said PNRC officer Rema David in a phone interview.

David said that if they see "something wrong" with a victim's behavior, they will immediately refer them to a psychological expert. "If not, we just counsel them," she said.

Department of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III also said that similar services are being offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Center for Mental Health. Report based on Mornings @ ANC episode, with additional reports from abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak.

For more information, visit www.randydellosa.com, Dellosa's clinic at 105 Scout Rallos Street in Quezon City, or call the Philippine National Red Cross hotline at 527-0000 or dial 143.