Order of Malta

After the emergency relief and early recovery phase, the Order of Malta together with th Malteser International continues to fulfill their long term rehabilitation work in the island of Bantayan, nothern Cebu and in the municipality of Basey, Samar.

By 2015, the rehabilitation plan includes the completion of the construction of 700 core shelters and 700 homes will be repaired for those partially damaged homes. This project encompasses Barangays San Antonio and Amandayehan in Samar while Bantayan Island includes Barangay Ocoy and Talisay in the Municipality of Santa Fe.

It was on November 8, 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan (code name Typhoon Yolanda) struck the islands of the Visayas and Mindanao. It mad seven land-falls which started at approximately 4 am in Guiuan, Samar while the last landfall hit the northernmost part of the province of Palawan, hitting Coron the hardest. The prior announcement of the presence of a storm surge by the Philippine weather bureau (PAGASA) was largely misunderstood and under-estimated by the majority of residents; especially those living in nearby coastal areas.  The population did not full comprehend what the storm surge but was hard hit by strong winds and rain with no visible mountains to protect them.

In coordination with the Archdiocese of Cebu, initial contact was made with the Parish Priest of Santa Fe Municipality in Bantayan Island, Rev. Fr. Isidrito Dicao of Sto. Niño Parish with the assistance of Most Rev. Julito B. Cortes, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.

Immediately after the typhoon , joint assessment trips were done by the Order of Malta Philippines and Malteser International, (represented by Dr. Melgabal Capistrano – Disaster Risk Reduction Adviser, Santa Harlass – Health Advisor and Arnold Coerver – WASH Adviser. Secretariat: Cecilia Piñones, Mary Joy Encio and Ma. del Carmen Carag-Harada – Hospitaller.

During the emergency relief phase, thousand of food, non-food, hygiene kits and jerry cans were distributed to Bantayan Island in Cebu; Culion, Palawan, and in Basey, Marabut, Bulao, Catbalogan, and Calbayog in collaboration with Most Rev. Isabelo Abarquez, D.D., Bishop of Calbayog.

Over 50,000 people benefited from the emergency relief sacks filled with rice, canned goods, noodles, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, blankets, towels and mosquito nets packed by the volunteers at the Order of Malta Chancery in Quiapo. These goods which were provided by Neighbors in Need and Aktion Deutschland Hilft were trucked off to Hagnaya Port in Cebu and Matnog, Sorsogon for ferrying to these hard hit areas. Badly hit San Antonio and Amandayehan families were given an additional month’s supply of rice and food to help these communities who could not be easily reached during the first few days after Yolanda’s aftermath.

In partnership with AmeriCares, the Order likewise delivered truckloads of medicines to the Archdiocese of Pala, Dioceses of Catbalogan, Borongan, Maasin, Masbate, Palawan, and Bacolod. Aside from the Social Action Centers, medicines were delivered directly to t hospitals to supplement meager medical supply needs to everyone’s relief. TOMS shoes were also distributed to young children in Basey and Marabut after they had lost everything.

Aside from the emergency relief assistance, the German Foreign Ministry also provided for Immediate livelihood programs focusing on community farming needs such as tools and vegetable seeds. Malteser International on the other hand took care of the children’s back to school needs by providing kiddie backpacks and school supplies; while tents and tarpaulins were sent for temporary classrooms and day care centers for Samar and Bantayan Island including Hilantagaan Island.

Model homes have been completed for Basey, and Bantayan and the rest will follow suit.