UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

Update from WCG Philippines

A weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines

March 18, 2006

From the National Director: Update on Landslide Victims in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte

Last March 13, WCG Board Members, Captain Jessup Bahinting and Dr. Manzano along with Mr. Charlie Shin, the general manager of the Korean Community in Cebu and I took a Cessna plane for a 45-minute flight to Maasin, Southern Leyte. We were then met by the staff of Congressman Robert Mercado, who took us on a 2-1/2-hour drive St. Ginsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte .

It was a typical ride to the countryside with amazing scenery of hills and mountains and rice fields. This was true until we arrived close to the town of St. Bernard.

It is a small town of several villages which has a total rural population of about 25,000 people. One of the barangays here is St. Bernard with about 1,900 residents – about 350 households.

It is located at the foot of Mt. Kaabag, which stands about 2,500 feet, and is an otherwise picturesque mountain that is lush with bushes and a lot of coconut trees. Nevertheless, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources consider many parts of the mountain unsafe for housing due to numerous cracks and loose boulders on its sides. A slight earthquake and heavy rains would only mean an avalanche of millions of rocks and mud which, last February 17, literally happened.

Then Ginsaugon Elementary School was located near the foot of the mountain. On that day, the elementary school was busy with some 276 pupils and several teachers. At about noon after a strong rain, Ms. Heroina Munda, one of the teachers in the nearby Tambis High School whom we were able to interview, heard a strange sound, and when she looked out her school window, she personally witnessed the unloading of a tremendous amount of landfill from the top and sides of the mountain to its foot, reaching 2-3 kilometers away. She asked her students to run outside of the building and asked them to run to safety closer to town.

In about 5 minutes, it was over. Almost the whole village – the children and teachers in the Ginsaugon Elementary School, the houses at the foot of the mountains including the people inside these houses, the rice paddies, the trees – were gone. What used to be a thriving village is now a huge landfill of buried houses, including the school. What is now left across the river is a huge wooden cross, a witness to the mourning and quest for hope of those who have survived.

We went to the St Bernard Municipal Hall to meet the Mayor Maria Yap Lim. We asked her about the present situation in her town and plans for rehabilitation. She cited the following updates:

1. Three evacuation sites – there are three evacuation centers that house the survivors, including those who came from the 5 adjacent villages of Ginsaugon who were ordered evacuated by the Geosciences and Mines Bureau.

In the St. Bernard evacuation site alone, there are 78 families from Bgy. Sug-asgon, 200 families from Bgy. Ayahag, 86 families from Bgy. Nueva Esperanza.

In St. Bernard School we also saw about 300 pupils who were having classes in makeshift tents. Their school rooms have been used as temporary shelters.

Philippine National Red Cross, Youth with a Mission and other para-church organizations are involved. However, the need is still great even just to feed these people. Rice requirement alone needed to feed the evacuees in the three sites is about 500 sacks weekly (each one costs about Pph1,100.00 (USD$20.00).

2) Relocation – The Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce pledged about 100 duplex housing units each about 20 sq. meters each. The mayor is asking them if they can make the houses at least 35 sq. meters each.

3) Some Koreans have pledged about 33 houses though the governor.

4) The Philippine Business for Social Progress also volunteered to do some training on how to manufacture hollow blocks to relocated families.

6) A Catholic community is also providing feeding and transportation shuttle for the orphans in the Tambis High School.

Assessments on Needs

Based on our survey and assessment, the greater impact we can make is in the area of education and livelihood development for the orphaned children and the parents who lost their livelihood. This was based upon the comments made by the parents in the relocation centers and from the Social Welfare Administration.

Education

The students who survived are high school and college students who were studying either in Leyte, Cebu City or in Metro Manila. However, these students have lost either one or both parents.

Miss Mercy Pacha, Department of Social Welfare Officer 1 of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Tacloban City who is now based in St. Bernard gave the list of orphan students who are now studying in Manila and Leyte: This list was certified by the Vice Mayor and the Mayor. These students are presently enrolled, but are now facing the uncertainty in continuing with their education, as a result of the tragedy.

1) Fritchie Lisondra

2) Crisandra Celmar Ong 3YHS San Francisco High School in Quezon City

3) Mary Celmar Ong 2YC STI Quezon City , Metro Manila

4) Jenelyn Monghit 3YC Angeles University Pampanga

5) Jackilyn Monghit 2YC Angeles University , Pampanga

6) Marthel Berdijo 4YHS Tambis National High School

7) Melchor Perilla 1YC

8) Michelle Dalugdugan 1YHS Cristo Rey Regional High School

9) Maybell Dalugdugan 2YHS Cristro Rey Regional High School

10) Honey Mae Esguerra 4YH Cristo Rey Regional High School

11) Sandy Peligro 2YC Southern Leyte University , San Juan , Leyte

12 Rubilyn Peligro 1YC Southern Leyte University , San Juan , Leyte

13) Crizel Peligro 1YC Southern Leyte University , San Juan , Leyte

14) James Sansol 2YC

15) Alexis Bolasco 3YC

16) Jessie Bolasco 4YC

17) Narciso Madaje 1YC

18) Jowie Siega 3YC

19) Florelyn Arcay 1YC

20) Joselito Pio 1YC

21) Romelito Marsada 1YC

22) Myla Saliente 1YC

23) Oliver Siega 1YC Southern Leyte University , Sogod, Leyte

24) Bryan Siega

25) Loraine Binondo 1YC

26) Mary Lindsey Camarinta 2YC

27) Roselyn Esquillo 1YC

28) Esteban Seman, Jr. 3YC

29) Edmar Zamora 3YC

30) Angel Vanessa Majaje Graduating

31) Cathy Pia 3YC

32) Jaime Pia 1YC In Davao

33) Jessrel Arcay

34) Princess Arcay

35) Jocelyn Coquilla 1YC STAC, Sogod, Southern Leyte

Other High School Students who were orphaned, who are now in the Tambis National High School.

Jamlyn Vanzuela lost both parents

Mylde Orbizo both parents

Roldan Navoa lost one parent

Erwin Danduan one parent

Elizabeth Coquilla one

Rosalie Cabajin both

Marites Arbiol both

Alberto Bacala Jr. both

Christopher Samsol one

Jerrize Garcia both

44 other survivor students were also reported by one of the teachers there whom we visited. This brings to a total of 54 students in this high school.

Students from the San Juan High School, San Juan, Leyte

Mary Jane Zamora both parents

Emilyn Dubiong one parent

Princess Camarinta one

Daryl Sumili both

Aziele May Losondra both

Students from Cristo Rey Regional High School, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte who lost either one or both parents.

Rowen Marqueda

Anthony Terante

Victor Egido

The officers of the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) said that those who lost one parent were advised to stay with relatives elsewhere. However, since these relatives are also poor, most of them could not afford to care for these orphaned kids, let alone send them to school.

We tried to find out the tuition fees and related expenses for three of the schools mentioned.

Tuition Fees and other Expenses

These are the schedule of tuition fees of three schools mentioned above. This will be a helpful guide for the computation of scholarship support for each student.

1) Cristo Rey Regional High School. This is the high school that is closest to the relocation site that will be up soon.

Peso U.S. $

Registration costs for 1st to 4th year per year P 552.00 10.56

Tuition Fees 3000.00 58.48

Books 3000.00 58.48

Computer laboratory for 3rd and 4th year 1000.00 17.24

Miscellaneous 500.00 9.75

Other Expenses:

Allowance for snacks and transportation/yr 10,000.00 191.20

(Estimated at P 1000/month x 12 months)

Pocket Money for clothes, estimate 2,000.00 40.00

Total for the year/student P 20,052.00 390.97

2) Tambis National High School

Miscellanous expense per student for one year 300.00 5.85

Total for 54 survivors for one year 16,200.00 315.80

Transportation allowance per student per year

@ P20/day x 20 days x 12 months/ student 4,800.00 93.56

Allowance for snacks P 20/studentx20daysx12 4,800.00 93.56

Total per student per year 9,900.00 192.98

2) Southern Leyte University

Courses – Industrial Technology/ IT

Tuition P 100.00/unit x 21 units per sem x2 4,200.00 81.87

Miscelaneous Expenses – P 410/sem x2 820.00 15.98

Computer laboratory P 500.00/sem x 2 1,000.00 19.12

Other Expenses:

Lodging approximately 200/mo x 12 2,400.00 46.78

Meals P 40.00 per meal x3x30x12mo. 43,200.00 842.10

Total for each student 51,620.00 1,006.25

3) STI Educational Institute

This is where two of the orphan students are studying and are in second year right now. She lost her mom who is the one supporting her studies at present.

Tuition and other fees per semester x 2 36,810.00

Allowance for snacks and transportation

P 2000 per month x 10 20,000.00

Total 56,810.00 1,107.40

So far, Ms. Mercy Pacha said that these needs have yet to be met.

What the Worldwide Church of God has done so far:

	On February 18, Capt. Bahinting, in partnership with the Korean Community, conducted about 12 flight missions to deliver blankets, used clothing and other relief goods.
	The church also donated 20 sacks of different forest seeds for germination soon so that they can be used for tree planting at the start of the rainy season.
	Conducted this assessment mission for the possibility of training and capacity building for the people who will be relocated near the sea. Dr. Manzano, a board of director of the WCG Philippines and dean of the College of Fisheries of Bicol University, Captain Jess Bahinting and myself went to Shemberg Corporation based in Cebu to explore the supply of commercial seaweeds. We informed them that we are planning to train and organize the local folks in St. Bernard to possibly produce seaweeds, if the water condition is suitable. They assured us that as long as the quality meets their standards, they will be willing to buy. Our tests yesterday showed that the water there is fit for seaweed production. Dr. Manzano will gather some experts to train these people soon.
	Captain Bahinting is also mobilizing some of the brethren in Cebu to be able to support these training programs, alongside values formation plus the sharing of the gospel in that area. We have also inspected the site for the nursery for forest trees. We shall be starting the seeding soon so that these seedlings will be ready by rainy season in July.
	Conducted Research on the tuition fees from the schools in Leyte and Manila.
	Subsidized the cost of the tuition for the 54 students of Tambis National High School equivalent to Php 16,000 or USD 312.00. This enables the students to be able to continue their studies and take their final exams.

We would like to invite our friends and brethren to partner with us in being able to help these orphans through these ways:

	Full or partial scholarship support or
	Livelihood training and micro-financing programs for those who will be relocated from St. Bernard and adjacent communities.
	Planned values formation and bibles studies for the community.

For inquires, please contact:

Mr. Eugene Guzon, National Director of WCG Philippines or

Aileen Orogo, Finance Officer, WCG Philippines

# 60 Matahimik St. Teachers Village, Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone Number: (63) 02-4262294

Email: Eugene_guzon@ph.wcg.org; eugenioguzon@yahoo.com

For more information, please click this link.

Note: All photos courtesy of Capt. Jess Bahinting.

For comments, suggestions, to submit and share an article, to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. These updates can also be accessed and viewed at www.wcg.org/ph. WCG - Philippines: National Office Address: #60 Matahimik St., Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines. Telephone No. (632) 426-22-94. When sending articles, please send preferably text format only and photos as attached files.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

	In the St. Bernard evacuation site alone, there are 78 families from Bgy. Sug-asgon, 200 families from Bgy. Ayahag, 86 families from Bgy. Nueva Esperanza.
	In St. Bernard School we also saw about 300 pupils who were having classes in makeshift tents. Their school rooms have been used as temporary shelters.
	Philippine National Red Cross, Youth with a Mission and other para-church organizations are involved. However, the need is still great even just to feed these people. Rice requirement alone needed to feed the evacuees in the three sites is about 500 sacks weekly (each one costs about Pph1,100.00 (USD$20.00).