WRAP: Volunteers, donations help buoy Kristine response amid widespread flooding | ABS-CBN
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WRAP: Volunteers, donations help buoy Kristine response amid widespread flooding
WRAP: Volunteers, donations help buoy Kristine response amid widespread flooding
Former Vice President Leni Robredo and Angat Buhay volunteers brave the flood to help victims of severe tropical storm "Kristine". Facebook/Egine Oquindo Baral
Former Vice President Leni Robredo and Angat Buhay volunteers brave the flood to help victims of severe tropical storm "Kristine". Facebook/Egine Oquindo BaralMANILA — Civil society, the private sector and members of the international community helped buoy government rescue and relief efforts after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine brought widespread and — as local and national government officials pointed out — unprecedented flooding in parts of the Philippines.
MANILA — Civil society, the private sector and members of the international community helped buoy government rescue and relief efforts after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine brought widespread and — as local and national government officials pointed out — unprecedented flooding in parts of the Philippines.
As early as last Tuesday, NGOs like Angat Buhay — set up by former Vice President Leni Robredo after the 2022 elections — posted photos of donated rescue boats being used in Naga City, where 22 of 27 barangays were flooded by rains brought by Kristine.
As early as last Tuesday, NGOs like Angat Buhay — set up by former Vice President Leni Robredo after the 2022 elections — posted photos of donated rescue boats being used in Naga City, where 22 of 27 barangays were flooded by rains brought by Kristine.
Volunteers distributed hot meals shortly after, with the NGO thanking everyone who helped out "in the spirit of bayanihan".
Volunteers distributed hot meals shortly after, with the NGO thanking everyone who helped out "in the spirit of bayanihan".
By the next day, it made a call for cash donations and soon opened the Museo ng Pag-asa in Quezon City as a drop-off point for in-kind donations.
By the next day, it made a call for cash donations and soon opened the Museo ng Pag-asa in Quezon City as a drop-off point for in-kind donations.
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Speaking to ANC’s "Dateline Philippines" on Saturday, Angat Buhay Foundation Executive Director Raphael Magno said that the flooding in Naga City was indeed unprecedented.
Speaking to ANC’s "Dateline Philippines" on Saturday, Angat Buhay Foundation Executive Director Raphael Magno said that the flooding in Naga City was indeed unprecedented.
What was not was the activation of volunteer networks, which he said was “part of our program” and was done as soon as a storm enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
What was not was the activation of volunteer networks, which he said was “part of our program” and was done as soon as a storm enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
"Every time may panahon ng sakuna, ina-activate namin sila," Magno said, referring to the organizations partners, which include good governance organization Kaya Natin! and the Tanging Yaman charity.
"Every time may panahon ng sakuna, ina-activate namin sila," Magno said, referring to the organizations partners, which include good governance organization Kaya Natin! and the Tanging Yaman charity.
(Every time there is a calamity, we activate them.)
(Every time there is a calamity, we activate them.)
"We give support, amplify their calls for help, augment [their supplies] so they can address the needs of their constituents."
"We give support, amplify their calls for help, augment [their supplies] so they can address the needs of their constituents."
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By Saturday, the network had managed to help around 15,000 people and families, Magno said.
By Saturday, the network had managed to help around 15,000 people and families, Magno said.
The call for donations had also brought in more than P4.2 million in cash and a further P2.017 million in relief supplies.
The call for donations had also brought in more than P4.2 million in cash and a further P2.017 million in relief supplies.
-- COMMUNITY KITCHENS --
Also quick to organize and mobilize were the volunteers with Community Pantry PH, whose help during calamities and emergencies is also not unprecedented and who arranged donation drop-off points and community kitchens in parts of Bicol, Pangasinan, Batangas, Cavite and Manila.
Also quick to organize and mobilize were the volunteers with Community Pantry PH, whose help during calamities and emergencies is also not unprecedented and who arranged donation drop-off points and community kitchens in parts of Bicol, Pangasinan, Batangas, Cavite and Manila.
Community Pantry PH founder Patreng Non posted a suggested menu for the volunteer kitchens and a few ground rules: Avoid styrofoam containers, don't use the community kitchens for self-promotion, and always put volunteers' safety first.
Community Pantry PH founder Patreng Non posted a suggested menu for the volunteer kitchens and a few ground rules: Avoid styrofoam containers, don't use the community kitchens for self-promotion, and always put volunteers' safety first.
"Best if i-go nyo na po ang inyong ideas dahil alam po namin na kayang kaya ninyo yan (It would be best for you to just implement your ideas, we know that you can do it)," she said in one social media post as she acknowledged the complexity of having to coordinate the movements of dozens of volunteer-driven kitchens.
"Best if i-go nyo na po ang inyong ideas dahil alam po namin na kayang kaya ninyo yan (It would be best for you to just implement your ideas, we know that you can do it)," she said in one social media post as she acknowledged the complexity of having to coordinate the movements of dozens of volunteer-driven kitchens.
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"I-empower po natin ang isa't isa! (Let's empower each other)."
"I-empower po natin ang isa't isa! (Let's empower each other)."
Across the Philippines, volunteer networks, activist coalitions and civil society organization gathered donations, coordinated assistance and amplified urgent calls for rescue almost instinctively.
Across the Philippines, volunteer networks, activist coalitions and civil society organization gathered donations, coordinated assistance and amplified urgent calls for rescue almost instinctively.
-- 'RESILIENCE' --
But not all help and well wishes were met with equal enthusiasm.
But not all help and well wishes were met with equal enthusiasm.
A Facebook post by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda reminding Albayanons of their resilience was nearly universally panned and eventually deleted.
A Facebook post by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda reminding Albayanons of their resilience was nearly universally panned and eventually deleted.
Footage of members of the Villafuerte clan of Camarines Sur handing out money to flooded residents — 5th District Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte did it while wearing expensive sneakers and on a paddle board — prompted criticism for alleged insensitivity and for being little comfort when stores are closed and supplies are waterlogged.
Footage of members of the Villafuerte clan of Camarines Sur handing out money to flooded residents — 5th District Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte did it while wearing expensive sneakers and on a paddle board — prompted criticism for alleged insensitivity and for being little comfort when stores are closed and supplies are waterlogged.
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Rumors that the congressman and his father Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymond "LRay" Villafuerte had been on surf island Siargao when the storm hit had not helped.
Rumors that the congressman and his father Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymond "LRay" Villafuerte had been on surf island Siargao when the storm hit had not helped.
The elder Villafuerte said they had returned from Siargao last Monday and had launched rescue and relief operations the next day.
The elder Villafuerte said they had returned from Siargao last Monday and had launched rescue and relief operations the next day.
"Hindi naman po puwedeng puntahan yung flooded area ng relief. The best thing we can do is give them cash for now," he also said of the bills distributed.
"Hindi naman po puwedeng puntahan yung flooded area ng relief. The best thing we can do is give them cash for now," he also said of the bills distributed.
(Relief cannot be brought to flooded areas yet, so the best thing we can give them is cash for now)
(Relief cannot be brought to flooded areas yet, so the best thing we can give them is cash for now)
-- LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS --
Speaking on the flooding, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is time for more long-term solutions to extreme weather events, including the completion of the Bicol River Basin Development Program that was supposedly discontinued in 1986.
Speaking on the flooding, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it is time for more long-term solutions to extreme weather events, including the completion of the Bicol River Basin Development Program that was supposedly discontinued in 1986.
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"We have to revisit it now, iba na ang conditions ngayon. May flood control naman tayo eh, pero hindi kaya yung ganito karaming tubig," he said in a visit to flooded areas in Bicol.
"We have to revisit it now, iba na ang conditions ngayon. May flood control naman tayo eh, pero hindi kaya yung ganito karaming tubig," he said in a visit to flooded areas in Bicol.
(We have to revisit it now because conditions have changed. We have flood control systems but they really cannot handle this much water.)
(We have to revisit it now because conditions have changed. We have flood control systems but they really cannot handle this much water.)
He added: "Walang forecast na ganito eh. Ito, climate change ito. (There was no forecast for this. This is climate change.) This is all new."
He added: "Walang forecast na ganito eh. Ito, climate change ito. (There was no forecast for this. This is climate change.) This is all new."
Last Wednesday, Marcos Jr. promised Bicolanos help would come in as soon as the roads were cleared while the Department of Social Welfare and Development said it had enough supplies and food packs prepositioned to help tide those affected by the storm over.
Last Wednesday, Marcos Jr. promised Bicolanos help would come in as soon as the roads were cleared while the Department of Social Welfare and Development said it had enough supplies and food packs prepositioned to help tide those affected by the storm over.
The government had also reached out to neighboring countries and to the US for help with humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
The government had also reached out to neighboring countries and to the US for help with humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
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-- 'SHIFTING BLAME' --
But for Kabataan Party-list, pointing to climate change shifts the blame for what it said was lack of preparation and of policies that prioritize people and the environment.
But for Kabataan Party-list, pointing to climate change shifts the blame for what it said was lack of preparation and of policies that prioritize people and the environment.
"Huwag niyang ipamukha na wala na tayong magagawa, kasi merong magagawa," Kabataan Party-List spokesperson Renee Co, a lawyer, said Sunday.
"Huwag niyang ipamukha na wala na tayong magagawa, kasi merong magagawa," Kabataan Party-List spokesperson Renee Co, a lawyer, said Sunday.
(Let us not make it seem that we could not have done anything, because there is something that we can do.)
(Let us not make it seem that we could not have done anything, because there is something that we can do.)
Kabataan has been pushing adoption of House Resolution No. 8, dubbed the "People's Green New Deal", that seeks to create decent jobs, increase the income of the poorest Filipinos, develop sustainable agriculture and lower greenhouse gas emissions "through a just economic recovery and transition."
Kabataan has been pushing adoption of House Resolution No. 8, dubbed the "People's Green New Deal", that seeks to create decent jobs, increase the income of the poorest Filipinos, develop sustainable agriculture and lower greenhouse gas emissions "through a just economic recovery and transition."
"Higit pa sa ayuda ay dapat bigyan ng makatarungang kompensasyon ang mga biktima ng kalamidad lalo na mula sa pambansang gobyerno at sa mga malalaking bansa at kumpanya na nangunguna sa polusyon sa buong mundo," Co also said.
"Higit pa sa ayuda ay dapat bigyan ng makatarungang kompensasyon ang mga biktima ng kalamidad lalo na mula sa pambansang gobyerno at sa mga malalaking bansa at kumpanya na nangunguna sa polusyon sa buong mundo," Co also said.
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(More than assistance, victims of calamities should get just compensation especially from the national government and from large countries and companies that are the biggest polluters)
(More than assistance, victims of calamities should get just compensation especially from the national government and from large countries and companies that are the biggest polluters)
Greenpeace Philippines made a similar call last week as it urged the government to "turn words into action on climate justice" and secure funding as compensation and support for vulnerable countries like the Philippines.
Greenpeace Philippines made a similar call last week as it urged the government to "turn words into action on climate justice" and secure funding as compensation and support for vulnerable countries like the Philippines.
"To start with, President Marcos, Jr. should demand that climate polluters pay for the harm and destruction their products cause," the group also said.
"To start with, President Marcos, Jr. should demand that climate polluters pay for the harm and destruction their products cause," the group also said.
The group also called on Marcos Jr. to push the passage of legislation to require companies "to proactively address climate change and prevent further harm to communities made vulnerable by climate impacts."
The group also called on Marcos Jr. to push the passage of legislation to require companies "to proactively address climate change and prevent further harm to communities made vulnerable by climate impacts."
It said that kind of legislation would help make sure that citizens who bear the brunt of the impact of the climate crisis do not have to be the only ones paying for relief and rehabilitation and for improving disaster response systems and infrastructure.
It said that kind of legislation would help make sure that citizens who bear the brunt of the impact of the climate crisis do not have to be the only ones paying for relief and rehabilitation and for improving disaster response systems and infrastructure.
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