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Relocated Yolanda Survivors Denounce Poorly-Implemented Resettlement Programs in Tacloban North

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At first sight, I was impressed by the brick-laden land mark, well-paved roads, and seemingly sturdy rowhouses. I'm sure others will have the same first impression upon entering this public relocation project in Barangay Cabalawan. As we got closer to the interiors of the permanent housing project which was supposed to be an asylum for no less than a thousand typhoon Yolanda survivors, I blew off from what I've seen as a total contrast.   The entrance to Ridge View Park, a relocation project  of National Housing Authority and the City Gove The project involves the provision of 2,000 rowhouse units to typhoon Yolanda-affected families.  Exterior paint cannot conceal the substandard and poorly-built structures often misconstrued by outsiders as a humane disaster rehabilitation assistance. Who is apt to believe that a housing unit costs Php293,000 when right in front of you are rowhouses which lack reinforcement and wall forms  not properly aligned with g...
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Community Enlivens Bayanihan Spirit

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Bayanihan or the outpouring cooperative spirit of Filipinos is traditionally exemplified when communities extend service to those in need without expecting anything in return. This is vividly captured in simple acts like lending a hand to someone carrying a heavy load,  helping an elderly cross the street or extending material or financial assistance to families affected by catastrophic events or disasters.  Even typhoon Yolanda survivors have their own ways of keeping the Bayanihan tradition alive. Community volunteers usually form part of additional workforce at Pope Francis Village. As members of the construction team, their volunteer service becomes their counterpart for the resettlement project.  Women volunteers assist in hauling of earth filling materials for the ongoing School Building construction. Amidst the sun's blazing heat, these volunteers worked all day as the school building project now gears up for the preparation of second floor slab....
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Yolanda on her Dreadful Namesake

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Bago pa man dumating ang dagok na dala ng bagyong Yolanda, 37 taon na akong nakilala sa pangalan na Yolanda Sembrero. Isa po akong survivor ng bagyong Yolanda na tumama sa Tacloban, Leyte noong Nobyembre 13, 2013 at ngayon ay nabigyan ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng permanenteng tirahan sa Pope Francis Village. Nitong Hulyo 15, 2016,  isa po ako sa napiling magrepresenta ng aming komunidad sa isang forum patungkol sa estado ng Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation na inorganisa ng Development and Peace at NASSA-Caritas Philippines.  (Before the devastating Yolanda came, I was already known as Yolanda Sembrero for 37 years. I am a survivor of typhoon Yolanda that hit Tacloban, Leyte in November 13, 2013 and now given a chance to have a permanent shelter at Pope Francis Village. Last July 15, 2016, I was chosen to represent our community in a forum about the State of Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation organized by Development and Peace and NASSA-Caritas Philippines.)  Ma...
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