Rommel Villanueva is one of the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, known as Yolanda in the Philippines. A fisherman in Barangay Binudac in the island of Culion, his boat was destroyed by Haiyan, which was one of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded. With no boat, Rommel, 29, was dependent on other boat owners if he wanted to fish and provide for his wife and two young children. For months he had to look for space on a boat every day in order to fish, and if no boat owner would take him, then he was not able to fish that day.
The months of struggle and worrying every day if he would be able to earn enough money to feed his family ended when he received his new fibre glass boat in April. It has made a world of difference. Rommel is no longer dependent on others to be able to fish on any given day. He chooses his own time to cast out and is now using the boat to fish six days a week, weather permitting. He is very thankful that despite the damages typhoon Yolanda wrought, he is still blessed and has a boat that he can call his own. When asked about his experience, he answered, “Sipag at tiyaga lang” (I can do it through diligence and perseverance).
Barangay Binudac is one of the areas in Culion that was heavily affected by Typhoon Haiyan. It is the main fishing village of Culion that provides most of the fish for nearby towns. According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Culion, about 460 fishing boats were destroyed.
With the Jesuits’ long history working with the people in Culion, the communities on the former leper colony island are among those supported by Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. SLB is the social justice arm of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.
Boat donation is part of SLB’s Livelihood Project for the typhoon survivors in the area, because most survivors there earn their living from fishing and their boats were either destroyed or damaged by Haiyan. Some were given new boats, while others received materials to build their own boats, or repair their damaged boats. This is because, “we respect the culture and the self-build capacity of the people,” said Ye Nunez, SLB Project Coordinator for Culion, Palawan.
As of June, 42 fishermen in Culion have been given new boats or boat building material – 17 boats in Barangay Binudac, 6 boats and materials for 10 boats to the indigenous people of Sitio Alulad, and 9 boats in Barangay Poblacion. The project works in close cooperation with La Inmaculada Concepcion Parish of Culion, and was made possible through the generosity of donors such as the Xavier Network through Fr Klaus Vathroder SJ, and Ateneo High School Batch 1952 and Ateneo College Batch 1956 through Mr Luis Olivares.
The Livelihood Assistance Project is only one of several rehabilitation projects SLB has initiated for Typhoon Haiyan survivors. On June 17, the groundbreaking ceremony for the multipurpose halls for the indigenous people of Culion was held at Sitio Alulad in Culion as part of the Social Infrastructure Project. In addition, as part of its community organising project, SLB has established a People’s Organization in Barangay Binudac and Barangay Galoc for capacity building, and conducted financial management training sessions last week.