TYPHOON Yolanda may have left in its wake Tacloban City, Leyte in devastation, but the promise of sunshine after the storm keeps the survivors moving forward.
Catherine Daaco, whose younger sibling died while saving their neighbor from the winds and flood, said her brother’s death will not be in vain as she and her remaining family members will continue to live a life of hope and optimism.
“Pagkatapos ng unos ay may bagong araw na sisikat at tayo ay patuloy na babangon kasama ng pagsilang nito,” she said, choking back tears.
Nearly four years since the super typhoon struck in 2013, the promise of a new day shines brightly in the city as a group of non-government organizations (NGO) prepared livelihood and residential programs for survivors, especially those living in identified storm surge areas.
Last Friday, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and United States Agency International Development (USAID) in partnership with the PLDT Inc., Smart Communications Inc., the Tacloban City Government, and the US Philippine Society, turned over eco-friendly houses to close to 200 families who were displaced by Yolanda.
Made of recycled materials composed of plastic and aluminum, the 18-square meter “butterfly houses” are fire- and water-proof, and can withstand winds up to 195 kph.
In an interview, Vonz Santos, who designed the houses, said he wanted to create an innovative housing unit, which can accommodate a family of five, at least.
“The transitional dwellings are foldable, meaning, they can be transferred and set up in safer grounds, should the need arise. It’s the first disaster-proof house in the country and I designed it with the thought of the survivors never again experiencing such a tragedy,” he said.
PDRF President Butch Meily, for his part, described the houses as a symbol for the survivors to continue to dream and rebuild their communities despite adversity.
Under the Building Resilient and Economically Adept Communities and Households program of the USAID, the dwelling units were installed with solar kits and water and sanitation facilities.
The NGOs also provided the families with a transport system so they can establish a community cooperative and implement livelihood projects.
At least 12 16-seater multicabs were given by the PDRF in partnership with the Negros Women for Tomorrow to the families for them to use to transport fishermen and farmers to and from their workplace and new homes.
The vehicles are expected to serve at least 14,000 families who have been relocated in the northern part of the city.
Meily said their next project is to build more evacuation centers in Tacloban, which is vulnerable to storm as the island is not only surrounded by water, but is close to the Pacific Ocean.
As of the moment, the NGOs have built a multi-purpose evacuation center inside the San Jose Central Elementary School.
“We want to continue helping Tacloban be resilient. It’s a city that’s still working on getting back up,” Meily said.
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