Sibuyan Relief Operation

Small town survives with big heart

2010-12-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

By Tarra Quismundo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:56:00 12/12/2010

Filed Under: Media, Maritime Accidents, People, Travel & Commuting

MANILA, Philippines—I found the Filipino heart on an island struggling through its worst disaster.

With a backpack, a pack of Oreos and a bit of courage, I landed on Sibuyan Island on June 24, 2008, anxious about my toughest assignment yet: to cover the search and retrieval operations in the aftermath of the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars.

But beyond the grim stories of lives lost and lives changed, I saw—and experienced—a town with a big heart. The townsfolk of San Fernando welcomed strangers like long-lost friends, selflessly sharing themselves and the little left of their resources even when they had to make do.

It did not take long for me to feel at home. And this sense of family, of familiarity in a place so new, led me to find intimate stories—the kind that just had to be told.

There was the overwhelmed but determined Mayor Nanette Tansingco who, at one point, broke into tears and pleaded for help for her hometown. San Fernando (pop: 22,000) was grappling with twin tragedies at the time. On top of the sinking of the ferry, its people were also trying to cope with lost homes and livelihood in the wake of Typhoon “Frank.”

Breath of fresh air

The power supply was intermittent and virtually all communication lines were down when the swarm of emergency workers and journalists arrived on the island. (I landed with neither map nor itinerary, but I always found my way with the help of gracious locals throughout my 10-day stay.)

No public transport was in sight at the clearing where we were dropped off by an Air Force chopper some seven kilometers away from the town proper—the only viable landing zone at the time. But I and the other journalists did not have to wait long; the locals readily offered us a ride on their scooters.

My scooter “kuya” (elder brother) did not ask to be paid—a breath of fresh air from taxing Manila. I insisted on at least covering for gas.

The town hall was too kind a host. The lone computer in town connected to the Internet during the early days of search and rescue was my only lifeline to the Inquirer News Desk in Manila. And the mayor’s staff always yielded the workstation when it was time for me to send my stories.

Islanders

On my second day there, Anna Magno, a mother of five, recalled how she had lost her seaside home to a storm surge never before seen on the island.

She and her children, all very young, were among the evacuees who slept in a classroom in the town’s elementary school, turning desks into beds and the muddy hallway into a kitchen.

In a coastal barangay near the sunken ferry, fishermen lamented their unwanted idle time. There was a feared toxic leak from the shipwreck and fishing was banned in the rich waters of the Sibuyan Sea, keeping fishermen and their boats onshore.

But everywhere reporters went, the residents were ready with smiles and hearty greetings, often asking if we had eaten or had slept well.

To have strangers look after you in a place not your own kept the energy going despite long hours under the sun.

It eased the heavy feeling I always carried with me after a day at the site of the sunken ferry, where death and grieving became a daily fare no one can ever get used to.

Toward the end of my stay, Tita Nitz, our surrogate aunt who offered reporters a comfortable place to sleep, said the owner of the house—a cousin now living abroad—had called to say he was waiving our lodging fee.

We may never repay such generosity but we had to insist. So much good was going around that no price can ever match all the kindness, certainly not the meager amount we virtually forced Tita Nitz to accept.

Hugs and exchanges of contact details sent me off on the way back to Manila.

Badge

Back at work in the city, I’d always stare at the unsightly “X” tan line my sandals left on my feet from those Sibuyan days. I kind of wished the mark would stay longer.

More than just reminding me that I should have applied more sun block, the pale “X” on my sunburned feet was my badge—a badge that I had touched the heart of Sibuyan.

Aquino government urged to give justice to M/V Princess victims

2010-06-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) Updated June 23, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines

- An environmental group has urged the incoming Aquino government to rectify the great injustice committed against the people of Sibuyan and Mother Nature by issuing an executive order that will cause the immediate resolution of the case involving victims of the M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy.

Roy Alvarez, president of EcoWaste Coalition, said the executive order should cause the completion of the retrieval operations, including the recovery of the remains of the victims and their decent interment upon proper identification, and ensure just compensation for all victims, as well as the environmentally-sound removal of the ship and exhaustive cleanup of the Sibuyan shores.

“The long overdue removal of the M/V Princess of the Stars is causing untold suffering to the people and environment of Sibuyan, which has earned the distinction of being called the ‘Galapagos of Asia’ for its rich biodiversity,” he said.

In solidarity with the Sibuyan people, the EcoWaste Coalition threw its support behind the latest plea made by the Our Lady of Remedies Parish in the municipality of San Fernando and the Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) on the occasion of the second anniversary of the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars on June 21.

Fr. Noel Sixon and the Sibuyan ISLE scored concerned private companies and governmental agencies for failing to keep their promise of retrieving the remains of the victims still trapped inside the sunken ship and the removal of the ship itself from the coast of the famed Sibuyan Island.

Rodne Galicha, coordinator of Sibuyan ISLE, a partner group of the EcoWaste Coalition, said garbage washed ashore has transformed the seashore into a virtual dumping ground.

Aside from the huge containers of rotting cigarettes and other products stocked along the coast, Sibuyan ISLE reported that a company contracted for the initial retrieval operations had built three pits for waste disposal in Barangay Taclobo, San Fernando, contravening the local government’s directive not to leave any trash in the vicinity.

“The dumpsites are in clear violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and Republic Act 9275 or the Clean Water Act, which both forbid open dumping to prevent environmental pollution,” Alvarez said.

“We earnestly hope that P-Noy will give high priority to resolving this still evolving human and environmental tragedy during his first 100 days in office. The families of the victims and the people of Sibuyan have suffered long enough,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=586783&publicationSubCategoryId=67

Order immediate retrieval of sunken ship, Aquino urged

2010-06-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

SIBUYAN, Romblon, June 21, 2010— Residents of San Fernando in Sibuyan Island are urging President-elect Benigno Aquino to order the immediate retrieval of sunken ship M/V Princess of the Stars.

Two years since the boat sunk off the coast of Sibuyan island, full retrieval of the victims’ remains and other cargoes are yet to be accomplished.

Fr. Noel Sixon, parish priest of Our Lady of Remedies in San Fernando town lamented the inaction of concerned companies and agencies directly responsible for the retrieval operations.

“How many times that they promised to retrieve the sunken ship completely? Two years is enough for these promises. We pray for justice for these souls who have been taken for granted, who are still trapped in the indifference of the concerned agencies and companies,” Sixon said.

The tragedy has severely affected not only the lives of the victims’ families but his parishioners as well, the priest said.

“There are a lot of things to be done after the tragedy, not only the trauma and sadness of the bereaved family but also the lives and livelihood of my parishioners who are gravely affected by the typhoon which are left forgotten,” he said.

Taclobo village chief Arturo Mortera also demanded the immediate retrieval of the ship saying the people cannot anymore take another year of promise.

“As we seek justice for our fishermen and those who were affected, we demand for the complete retrieval of the remains of the passengers which are still trapped inside the ship, these poor souls are already part of our community,” he added.

A fishing ban was implemented after the sea tragedy which has affected many fishermen who depended on fishing as their main livelihood.

And even after the ban was lifted, fishing was deemed unsafe because of oil leak coming from vehicles trapped in the belly of the ship.

Rodne Galicha, coordinator of environmental group Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) said the wastes and garbage washed ashore transformed the seashore into a virtual dumping ground.

“Huge containers have been stocked along the seashore with putrefying cigarette packs and other products, oil leaking from the ship and unretrieved cars and trucks, the remains of the victims still trapped, garbage pits on the island—these are some realities which continue to worry our island-people,” he said.

An earlier report also said the salvor company built three garbage pits in the area for waste disposal despite restrictions from the local government not to leave any waste in the area.

Galicha said the Aquino administration should include the completion of retrieval operations in the agenda of his first 100 days in office.

“In the first 100 days of incoming President Benigno Aquino, we urge him to look seriously into this tragedy with a sense of urgency,” he said.

Galicha said it is lamentable that the Arroyo government failed to pressure the companies and agencies involved to fully accomplish the retrieval operations. Two years is too long, he added. (CBCPNews)

http://cbcpnews.net/?q=node/13794

'Feria' death toll rises to 7

2009-07-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sibuyan ISLE Exec. Dir. Rod Galicha with an LGU mountain ranger and an IP volunteer in a landslide site in Brgy. Panangcalan during the Typhoon Feria. This is one of the 25 landslides in the municipality of San Fernando.

Cantingas River Resort devastated by strong Cantingas River currecnt in Brgy. Taclobo destroying Cantingas Bridge during the Typhoon Feria.

Ipil River overflowed and destroyed Ipil Bridge in Brgy. Panangcalan. To the right is the town proper of San Fernando which was inundated last year.

THE National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported on Thursday that casualties remained low as Tropical Storm Feria moved toward Northern Luzon in preparation for its exit this weekend.

As of Thursday afternoon, the number of deaths was reported at seven, with eight missing and five injured. Most of the deaths were recorded in Quezon province.

In its report, the NDCC identified the fatalities as Roberto Longaza, Ruben Rajas, Boyet Drias, Ryan Brogada, Vicente Layague, Edgar Salida and a certain Renico.

Four of the victims were crew members of a small fishing boat, MB Annabel, that was hit by a tornado while it was anchored at barangay Sanguirin, Perez, Quezon, on Wednesday night.

The NDCC said rescue teams are still searching for eight persons who are missing in Romblon, Sorsogon, Aklan, and in Guiuan and Biliran, both in Eastern Samar.

On Wednesday the council pegged the number of missing at 10, but it said the number went down after two of them, both fishermen, were found alive in Southern Leyte.

On the other hand, the number of damaged houses has breached the 5,000 mark, and these are all in the provinces of Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Romblon, Masbate, and Eastern and Western Samar.

Meanwhile, reports reaching the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said heavy rains spawned by Feria damaged several infrastructures, closed several major thoroughfares to traffic and triggered landslides.

Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said among those affected were the Cantingas, Ipil and Ituralba-reinforced concrete girder bridges; Pili, Cansapay and Silum steel bridges and the Cantingas bailey bridge, all along Sibuyan Bay.

All of the bridges have been shut down to traffic.

Ebdane also said that the circumferential road in Sibuyan was closed to vehicles after rains washed out its approaches.

Likewise, the Calatrava-San Agustin-Santa Maria Road in Romblon was also closed to traffic for hours after it was struck by a series of landslides. The same with the Catmon Bridge in Masbate province owing to an eroded approach.

In Central Luzon, Ebdane said the Candaba-San Miguel and the Baliwag-Candaba roads were closed to all types of vehicles owing to flooding, along with the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road that was hit by a landslide.

In Eastern Visayas, the Sambulawan-Calasigue-Calubian, Lemon-Leyte-Biliran and Bato-Bontoc Roads are also hardly passable owing to landslides.

Fallen trees and rocks also made it hard to pass along the Catbalogan North Road, Catbalogan-Calbiga and Samar-Leyte Roads.

The Kawayan-Clulaba and Caibiran-Cabugayan Roads and the Tucdao, Uson and Telibong bailey bridges, all in Biliran, are also hardly passable due to washed-out and scoured
surfaces.

In Western Visayas, the Arellano Bridge in Panay, Capiz and Bogo Bridge in San Remegio, Antique were also washed out.

In Malabon, flooding also rendered Sanciangco Street and Bustamante Street all the way down to Governor Pascual Avenue impassable to all types of vehicles.

Ebdane ordered maintenance crew to work for the immediate opening of all the affected roads and bridges.

The NDCC said Feria, which entered the country through the Visayas on Monday, affected a total of 172 barangays in 15 regions in the Visayas and Luzon.

It also affected a total of 11,463 families or 53,897 persons as of 12 noon on Thursday.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/12307-feria-death-toll-rises-to-7.html

Successful Relief Operations

2008-08-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

With the UK-based humanitarian organization, Christian Aid (CA), responding to the call for help of Sibuyan ISLE/SAM, together with the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Inc. – Kasama sa Kalikasan / Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils.), the Task Force Sibuyan Relief Operations was convened two days after typhoon Fengshen (Frank) devastated Sibuyan Island. The AMRSP as partner of Sibuyan ISLE in its environmental advocacy, initiated relief drives with its members through schools and congregations, as well. La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) is one of the schools which quickly responded to the call together with the College of St. Benilde (CSB) of De La Salle. Through AMRSP, LSGH sent relief items which were repacked at the Claret School of Quezon City (CSQC). St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) of the Benedictine nuns sent relief items, too.

The relief items which weighed approximately 40 tons were transported to Sibuyan Island on 21 July 2008. Distribution by land and sea was done through the Basic Ecclesial Communities and Parish Social Action Centers of the Vicariate of Sta. Barbara (Sibuyan Island) of the Diocese of Romblon in coordination and monitoring of Sibuyan ISLE, LRC-KsK/FoE Phils. and CA. Selection of beneficiaries was based on international humanitarian standards prescribed by the SPHERE Project. General qualification is that the recipient should be poorest of the poor, which responds to the Catholic Church’s preferential option for the poor, hence, hierarchy of prioritizations and screenings was prudently and justly considered. More than 3,500 households (approximatey 17,000 peope) have already benefited from the relief operations.

Notably, the task force experienced bringing the relief items directly to the beneficiaries by taking motorized bancas and a 7-kilometer walk with the indigenous peoples passing through rivers because the roads are not still passable.

The assessment shows that: a) there is an on-going food shortage due to the possible toxic contamination of chemicals from the sunken MV Princess of the Stars, hence, fear of fishing and expensive food sale; b) agricultural crops were gravely devastated especially coconut, vegetable and banana plantations; c) roads in gravely stricken villages are still not passable; d) at least two coastal elementary schools were gravely damaged, percentage of absences of students is increasing because fishing which is generally the source of income of families is limited; e) the people especially the children are still traumatized of the typhoon and the sunken ship’s ramifications.

The task force complied with the international humanitarian standard of conducting relief operation in just one month, that is from June 25 to July 25, especially in the isolated island of Sibuyan.

Task Force Sibuyan Relief Operations Video

2008-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Province of Romblon to be enlisted under state of calamity

2008-07-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

ROMBLON, Romblon – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the inclusion of the province of Romblon in the list of provinces placed under a state of calamity after the destructive wake of typhoon Frank some three weeks ago.

President Arroyo announced the directive at the Romblon National High School here where she was briefed by local officials about the the possible outbreak of typhoid fever here and in Odiongan town; plus the diarrheal cases in the San Fernando town.

In his letter to the President, Romblon Gov. Natalio Beltran III appealed for the inclusion of Romblon in the said calamity list ‘so that we can avail of whatever support and assistance that may be granted by the national government’ for Frank-affected local government units (LGUs).
Beltran explained to President Arroyo that the Romblon provincial government was not able to immediately report its situation to the national government ‘due to total failure of power, transportation and communication systems which bogged down during the occurrence of the typhoon.’

Because of this, ‘gathering of the necessary reports from the different island municipalities was almost impossible which resulted to the delayed submission by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) on the extend of damage caused by typhoon ‘Frank.’’

The Romblon governor added that the PDCC was also ‘so pre-occupied in assisting the rescue operations on M/V Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines which sunk in the Sibuyan Sea near the municipality of San Fernando, Romblon,’ thus its failure to immediately report on the total provincial damage which would have easily included it in the list of LGUs placed under a state of calamity.

Governor Beltran further related in his letter to the President dated today (July 15, Tuesday) that his province was so ‘badly devastated by typhoon ‘Frank’ last June 21-22, 2008 which caused some lives (11 dead, two missing and seven injured) of our fellow Romblomanons, not to mention the millions of pesos worth of properties and infrastructure facilities damaged by the said typhoon.’

In his letter ot the President, Beltran attached Resolution No. 06-2008-65 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Romblon dated June 27, 2008 declaring the province of Romblon under a state of calamity. Also included was the Romblon PDCC disaster report.

In this capital town alone, Mayor Gerard Montojo said the 31 barangays suffered a total of P70 million in infrastructure damage, including some 7,000 houses worth P31 million damaged either totally or partially. Some P31 million worth of crops were also destroyed here, including P10.5 million worth of banana plants, P8.5 million in fisheries, P6 million in coconut trees, and P3.5 million in fruit trees.

It is the second time that President Arroyo is visiting this province to check on government’s efforts to help alleviate the lives of residents affected by the super typhoon that sunk the biggest ship of Sulpicio Lines.

Two Tuesdays ago, President Arroyo was in Sibuyan island where she commiserated with affected residents by distributing relief goods, and then later pouring holy water into the Sibuyan Sea where the sunken Sulpicio ship still remains embedded in the coral reef.

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ASAZ-7GKFML?OpenDocument

Weekend Report

2008-07-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

12 July 2008 (Saturday)

The last set of relief goods was completely procured. Repacking and procurement commenced on 06 July 2008. Students from Claret School of Quezon City, primary to high school level have been active in repacking, an orientation on the whole relief operation and its objective has been required before the repacking activity. The motto ‘we believe in life before death’ is promoted in the light of the humanitarian objective. Students from the University of the Philippines and Centro Escolar University shared their time to repack. Sibuyanons coming from the Greater Manila areas have been helping in the repacking process as well.

13 July 2008 (Sunday)

80% of food relief items, 90% of standard packs and 180 sets of tools have been repacked. 1,500 food relief in plastic bags and boxes have loaded to the contracted 10‐wheeler truck. Repacking volunteers are from Claret Campus Ministry Office, Claretian Urban Poor Apostolate, and Sibuyanons from Greater Manila areas. Seminarians from the Claretian Seminary joined as well.

Relief Operations Claret Video

2008-07-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

Claret Relief Repacking Center Scenes

2008-07-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

TARGET: Relief Operations Phase 2

2008-07-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

Students of Claret School of Quezon City help in repacking noodles as part of the food-item pack for the 3500+ beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries increased as more families are affected by the consequences of the typhoon and the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy. Fishing ban is still imlplemented in San Fernando, Romblon.

The target beneficiaries for the Phase 2 are 419 more washed-out (standard package) and 2,600 partially damaged households (food items). 180 set of carpentry tools shall also be distributed to families assessed validly to receive. A total of more or less 35 tons of relief goods.

Standard Package is composed of: 5 kilos rice, 1 pack of dried fish, 6 canned goods, Chocolate drink, Milk, Sugar, Salt, Oil, Blanket, Sleeping Mat, Mosquito net, Pot, Laddle, Basin, Knife, 2 Plates, 6 Tumblers, 2 Spoons, 1 pack of Toothpaste, 6 Toothbrushes, 1 Bath Soap and Sanitary Napkins.

Food items include: 5 kilos rice, 1 pack of dried fish, 6 canned goods, Chocolate drink, Milk, Sugar, Salt and Oil.

Carpentry tools are hammer, saw and nails.

Clothes shall be distributed to beneficiaries according to their needs as assessed by the parishes' Social Action Centers.

The relief operation is done by Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment, Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE/SAM) in partnership with United Kingdom-based organization Christian Aid (CA) in coordination with Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Inc. (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils.).

Claret School of Quezon City (CSQC) with the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) participate in the Phase 2. They are joined by St. Scholastica's College, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde and more other groups and individuals.

REPORT: Relief Operations Phase One

2008-07-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

500 families are the beneficiaries of the Quick Response Relief Operation. The packs were distributed directly to families and churches in partnership with Vicariate of Sibuyan Island.

Tragedy uncovers an island of treasures

2008-07-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

SAN FERNANDO, SIBUYAN ISLAND -- In the shadow of mystical Mt. Guiting-Guiting is “paradise” -- wonders sufficient to grab the world’s attention from the shipwreck off its pebbled shores.

Unknown to many and sidelined in the global buzz over the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars, this town in Romblon is home to the crystal waters of the Cantingas River, the gushing Busay Falls, the lush protected areas of the mountain (now a national park), and the tiny island of Cresta de Gallo with its white-sand beaches rivaling Boracay.

“It seems the only concern now is the ship,” Mary Jane Arboleda, a professor at Romblon State College, told the Inquirer.

“We have never experienced a typhoon like [‘Frank’]. This is the first time we experienced this kind of disaster ... because this is paradise. We have many tourist spots, and we used to have many foreign visitors,” she said. “Luxury liners used to dock close to the island, and they would come to town to see how we live, observe the culture.”

Insulated

The town’s treasures, long the pride of the San Fernando folk, remain largely unexplored because the island is insulated by distance and the Sibuyan Sea.

But the need to develop the ecotourist destinations again arose with the 1,000-strong fisherfolk population bereft of a means of livelihood because of the shipwreck and its dangerous cargo.

Town officials banned all fishing, diving and swimming in the Sibuyan Sea last week, after transportation officials announced the presence of a container van of the toxic pesticide endosulfan in the sunken vessel’s cargo hold.

Authorities fear leakage. Mercifully, Sibuyan’s waters have tested negative of contamination since last week.

But as a result of the ban, the entire town is now dependent on relief packs of rice and canned goods from national and nongovernment agencies.

‘All this beauty’

“We have all this beauty but we need the help of national agencies to develop infrastructure and facilities,” San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco said.

“We have tourist spots, but tourists find it hard to come here because of the problem of accessibility. As you know, trips here are not regular, and the boats leave only at certain times.

“And with the roads alone we have a problem because only 10 percent of the circumferential roads are paved. There is that potential, but we are finding it hard to package the place because we lack the infrastructure.”

The mayor said she had presented her town’s tourism potential to national government agencies. But development has yet to come San Fernando’s way.

She expressed hope that President Macapagal-Arroyo’s recent promise of developing the town’s road network would be the start of finally realizing this goal.

Getting there

To get to San Fernando from Manila, one takes a flight to neighboring Tablas Island and then a boat ride of roughly three hours to Sibuyan Island. The boats set sail only in the day, and with the weather and waves permitting.

Or one takes a ship from the Batangas port to San Fernando’s neighboring Magdiwang town, a ride of roughly 14 hours that also goes around towns in Tablas before docking at Sibuyan.

From the Magdiwang port town, jeepneys ferry passengers in a two-hour commute to San Fernando.

Once there, one can hire a tricycle and then hike from the rough road to the foot of Guiting-Guiting, which ushers water through San Fernando’s unspoiled rivers along steep gorges and into the Sibuyan Sea.

Reputed to be among the country’s cleanest, the Cantingas River in Taclobo, the barangay nearest the shipwreck, is accessible by a paved path from the main road.

Sweet water

Often empty, a cottage house by the river served as home to Coast Guard officers who stayed in town last week to conduct search, rescue and retrieval operations at the shipwreck.

Farther down the main road, a waterfall that locals tag as “Piknikan” (or a place to hold a picnic) drains from Guiting-Guiting into the Cantingas River.

Piknikan, which one reaches after a hike of roughly 15 minutes through narrow weed paths and riverside boulders from Sitio Cabitangahan, provides fresh water that locals find fit to drink.

“The water there is sweet. We even use it as chaser for our drinks,” quipped a villager.

Some 2.5 meters from the town center, the Busay Falls showers cool water into a natural pool in Barangay Panangcalan.

According to Tansingco, the rivers drain out to sea and are in no danger of contamination even if toxic chemicals leak into Sibuyan waters.

Some 45 minutes from the island is Cresta de Gallo, a 5-hectare “virgin islet” surrounded by transparent blue waters and coral reefs.

“It’s a great diving spot,” said Tansingco. “You can circle the shoreline in 30 minutes. It’s like Boracay ... [except that] it doesn’t have facilities, not even fresh water.”

Saw-toothed ridges

Guiting-Guiting (or “G2”) is thus called because of its “saw-toothed” ridges.

Its steep slopes and vertical rock walls continue to challenge even the experienced mountaineers, who regard it as one of the “most difficult climbs” in the country, along with the jagged-edged Halcon (in Oriental Mindoro) and Mantalingajan (in Palawan).

G2 is also known for its rich biodiversity, and studies cite five mammal species—the Greater Sibuyan and Lesser Sibuyan forest mice, the Sibuyan giant moss mouse, the Sibuyan pygmy fruit bat and the Sibuyan striped shrew rat—found on no other mountain.

The rare Philippine tube-nosed rat and Philippine hawk eagle are also among the mountain’s inhabitants, thriving in a lush forest cover with a variety of endemic fauna.

Enchanted

San Fernando’s nature spots are a staple in the townsfolk’s conversations with visitors. And the chit-chat always comes with a warning.

“This is an enchanted place,” Meriam Rafol, a long-time resident and teacher at the local state college, told the Inquirer.

“If you notice, there’s no nightlife here and there are no bars. Those who dared put up one lost their business because the mountain’s spirits do not like that,” she said.

According to Rafol, there was once a riverside bar/restaurant in Cantingas but the river swallowed it whole.

Then there was a visitor who went for a swim in Cantingas and later insisted that he had met a woman in white—someone that none of his companions saw.

The townsfolk also spoke of hearing the mountain cry and wail as mining explorers drilled into rock walls in search of nickel, and of the mountain bleeding each time a drill struck its face.

Golden ship

And talking about another mystical presence, the locals told stories of the “MV Sibuyan,” a purported golden ship that would show itself to a vessel in trouble at sea and guide it to safe shelter.

“Sailors think it’s a real ship on its way to a safe dock. They do not know that the ship goes straight to Cantingas; that’s why many ships run aground here,” Rafol said.

The way the townsfolk tell it, the mountain’s mystical dwellers only want respect and care from visitors.

(by Tarra Quismundo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Southern Luzon Bureau)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080706-146709/Tragedy-uncovers-an-island-of-treasures

Sibuyan ISLE lauds Romblon LGU

2008-07-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. lauds the local government stance to file a class suit against Sulpicio Lines for the large amount of expenses in the rescue operations and damages to the livelihoods of Sibuyanons. Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. for its part shall conduct rehabilitation and alternative livelihood trainings and programs for the affected communities.

More Help

2008-07-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

Please forward your help to Sibuyan Island to our Relief Operations Warehouse at the auditorium of Claret School of Quezon City (Mahinhin St., Teacher's Village, Quezon City). Please coordinate with Ms. Sol of the Campus Ministry (09178452035) or Rod (09182697059).

Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. joins the call for Endosulfan Ban

2008-07-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. Coordinator Rodne Galicha being interviewed by a GMA 7 News reporter during the EcoWaste Coalition mobilization at the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority (FPA) on 3 July, 2008, urging the government to ban the use of the toxic endosulfan that may possibly harm the environment and the lives and livelihood of the people of Sibuyan Island and of the country as a whole.

"The possible contamination of Sibuyan Island and its marine environment with endosulfan, other chemical cargoes and bunker fuel from the sunken vessel is already affecting the life and livelihood of our people whodepend mainly on the abundance of the sea," he said in the official statement by the lone environmental group in Sibuyan Island.

"We therefore urge all the parties involved, including the national overnment, Sulpicio Lines, Del Monte Philippines, Inc. and Bayer Crop Science, among others, to pursue quick and efficient strategies and mechanisms to protect our people, prevent marine pollution and reserve the rich biodiversity and abundance of the Sibuyan Sea," he stated further.

To respond to the calls of the government and the people, the relief operation shall continue through its Phase-Out activities of psychosocial formation and livelihood training programs.

Sibuyan Relief Operation Team prepares for Phase 2

2008-07-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

A crucial task is being undertaken by the Task Force Sibuyan team for the Phase 2 of the relief operation. A management team and system based on the assessment of the Christian Aid Rapid Response Assessment Team (CARRAT) was developed to ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency of the whole humanitarian operation following the international standards of the Sphere Project (Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response).

The Claret School of Quezon City offered its Auditorium for the storage and repacking of a targeted 3,000 packs of relief goods which include 15,000 kilos of rice, food and non-food items composed of carpentry tools, kitchen utensils and hygiene set, among others. An estimate of 30 tons of relief is expected to be transported early next week by ferry or C-130 plane depending on its availability.

Donations are still being accepted. You may bring or forward your help to Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. stationed at the Claret Auditorium. Please contact 09182697059 or e-mail kalikasan101@gmail.com.

This Phase 2 of the project is being done in partnership with Christian Aid, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE Phils.) and the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines in coordination with the Social Action Centers and Basic Ecclesial Communities of the parishes of the Vicariate of Sibuyan.

Romblon townsfolk hail priest for rescue work

2008-07-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

The community of Espana under Fr. Joey Valencia after the tragic storm.

SAN FERNANDO, ROMBLON – In the morning of June 21, Fr. Joey Valencia, 35, didn’t say Mass because Typhoon “Frank” was coming.

From 8 a.m. until noon that Saturday, he helped fishermen evacuate and transfer their pump boats from the shoreline to a safe ground about 100 meters away.

While hauling pump boats at about 10 a.m., the priest was hit by waves that sent him two to three meters away from where he stood.

“I would stand up and continue until I was hit for the third time. I had to stop because it was already getting too dangerous,” he said.

It was nature’s wrath unfolding before his eyes: Two to three big waves engulfing houses, waters rising up, people screaming as they scampered in fear of a “tidal wave.”

Twelve rest houses in the convent area became evacuation centers where families were transferred.

At 3 p.m., the howling wind became frightening. “We couldn’t move. Trees and iron sheets were flying, my parishioners were wailing,” the priest recalled.

The priest said he saw the rest house next to where he was staying torn into pieces.

Then, he found himself being thrown by the wind to about 10 meters from where he was standing.

He secured 15 children aged 3 months to 12 years old inside their parish church compound. The older children watched over the younger ones.

“Parents insisted on retrieving their things but I held them back because it was already dark. There was no electricity and communications signal.”

The following day, only three parishioners came to attend Mass although the rains had stopped.
Sinking ship.

Soon they heard the news about the sunken MV Princess of the Stars near their town.

Father Joey thought there could be surviving or dead passengers in nearby Isla de Gallo. True enough, he found life jackets and three bloated female bodies – one in sitio Talaba, another in sitio Ulango, and the third one in Barangay Mabolo.

“I didn’t know if they were Catholics but I immediately blessed them using the sacrament kit in my hand. Then I took their photos for identification and reporting,” he said.

On Monday, the fourth body from the sunken ship was found bloated right across the parish, which is one to two kilometers from the site of the tragedy.

The body had a rosary around its neck.

Father Joey and barangay officials decided to open the wallet tucked inside the pants.

They learned that the name of the dead person was Evangeline Alcantara, born on Nov 18, 1959.

They were not sure if she was married but a photo found inside the wallet showed her carrying a child 2 to 3 years old, the priest said.

He also saw a picture of the Our Lady of Manaoag. He then blessed the dead.

“But what touched me most was when a concerned parishioner took off his clothes and tore it into two to cover the woman’s body which was already decomposing,” the priest recalled.

His parishioners lighted up candles and offered prayers.

He called up the police and had the body taken care of.

(This article is from Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2 July, 2008, written by Madonnal Virola of the Southern Luzon Bureau. Fr. Joey Valencia is one of the consultants of Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. and leading anti-mining advocate.)

Gratitude to the Donors and Supporters

2008-07-03T05:15:00.000-07:00

The Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment, Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) would like to thank the following:

Paltok Sibuyan Community
St. Scholastica’s College
Order of St. Benedict Sisters
Claret School of Quezon City
Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines
Claretian Congregation
Missionary Society of the Philippines
EcoWaste Coalition
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Green Convergence
Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute
Cervini Hall, Ateneo de Manila University
Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University
Montenegro Shipping Lines
M/V Anavel
Sibuyan Express Forwarding
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Radio Veritas
Agence Francaise Press
3rd JPICC-AMRSP Solidarity Mission Team
Ms. Chat Jocson-Pinalas
Fr. Junvic Diolata, SSS
Sr. Estrella Castalone, FMA
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
Fr. Jessie Mercado, SSS
Bp. Broderick Pabillo, DD
International Organization for Migration
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines
Christian Aid

Fot the cooperation of Sibuyan Island priests: Fr. Tony Festin, Fr. Nes Gadon, Fr. Persh Faeldog, Fr. Joey Valencia, Fr. Bong Magbata, Fr, Jong Recto and Fr. Lois Ortner, SVD. and the unselfish service of their respective parish councils, Basic Ecclesial Communities, Social Action Centers and the religious nuns led by Sr. Lucy Caballero, ADD; and the invaluable help of the barangay captains of Espana, Sugod, Danao and Marigondon with Jane of Cantagda.

Relief Operation Phase 1

2008-07-03T01:17:00.000-07:00

The Task Force Sibuyan Relief Operation – SAM-CARE distributed a total of 7.5 tons of standard relief packages to the 500 priority families on June 28, 2008, rapidly assessed from June 23 to June 27 by the Social Action Centers and Basic Ecclesial Community groups of the Vicariate of Sibuyan. Priority impact site is Mabini village in San Fernando town.

Sibuyan Island After the Tragedy

2008-07-03T00:48:00.001-07:00

Clockwise: Cajidiocan coastal houses are gravely devastated; the once fishing community of Brgy. Mabini of San Fernando is totally washed-out; damaged elementary school of Brgy. Mabini; a totally damaged house in Magdiwang.

Sibuyanons Fear Unexpected Hunger

2008-07-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Due to the unexpected massive disaster of typhoon Frank, majority of houses along the coastal areas of Sibuyan Island were washed-out and damaged. In San Fernando town alone, an estimate of 1,900 households were affected.

Further, the possible contamination of endosulfan, other chemicals and fuel from the sunken M/V Princess of the stars endanger the life and livelihood of the island people. Sibuyanons depend mainly on the abundance of the sea through fishing and the agriculture industry had been vasty damaged.

Although the government has been focusing on the M/V Princess of the Stars tragedy, the fate of the island-people remains unnoticed and those who are totally affected have been for days neglected. The local government especially of San Fernando was right in saying that the people are victims, too, that they need food, shelter and clothing.

A school in a village called Mabini was totally damaged and still being used as an evacuation center and until now, no classes are conducted.

The biggest fear however is the hunger that the ramifications of the combined tragedies of the typhoon especially the chemical contaminations.

Hence, the Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment, Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE), the only environmental organization on the island, strongly urge the national government, Sulpicio Lines, Del Monte, Bayer, among others to pursue a quick and efficient strategies and mechanisms to safeguard the lives of the people and preserve the rich biodiversity and abundance of our seas.

To quickly respond to the needs of the people, Sibuyan ISLE, Inc. in partnership with London-based Christian Aid, delivered 7.5 tons of relief goods to first 500 families who were gravely affected by the typhoon. Dubbed as SAM-Calamity Response (SAM-CARE) , the goods were distributed last Saturday (June 28, 2008) through the Social Action Centers and Basic Ecclesial Communities group of the parishes of the Vicariate of Sibuyan. Next week, more than 30 tons of relief goods shall be distributed to a targeted 708 totally washed-out households and more or less 2,000 affected families.

The SAM-CARE Task Force Sibuyan Relief Operation uses the international standard of conducting humanitarian relief activities through the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. The quick response relief operation started on June 23, 2008. The main objective is to reach out to the poorest of the poor. The criteria in choosing the beneficiaries are as follow:

- Poorest of the poor who have been affected by the floods and mudslides/waves.
- Households suffering severe loss;
- Landless, marginal farmers and day labourers affected by the floods
- Preferential treatment will be given to the following in the selection process:
- Female-headed households
- Women and widows
- Children – girls in particular
- Elderly
- People with disabilities
- Indigenous and tribal people
- People living with HIV/AIDS.

The Beneficiaries/ Reference People (RP) will be selected from the Emergency Rapid Assessment Surveys through the Christian Aid Rapid Response Assessment Team (CARRAT).

The three municipal councils--San Fernando, Magdiwang and Cajidiocan-- of Sibuyan Island had already issued resolutions declaring their respective towns as states of calamity.