LEYTE MISSION – DIRECT AND AUTONOMOUS ACTION
“Every new study reveals that global warming is happening far more
quickly than was previously anticipated. Staid scientists are now
suggesting the real possibility of billions of human beings being killed
off by what some are calling a Climate Holocaust. A recently released
study suggests an increase in temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius by the
year 2100.”
- Derrick Jensen
British destroyer arrived and sent a helicopter to probe on islands
that have not yet been reached ten days after the storm. They found
pockets of islets totally devastated and still unreached. From the
helicopter were seen messages such as “help” and “food”.
Yolanda is one of the most destructive typhoon visited the Philippine
archipelago. It pummeled Visayas region particularly Leyte and some
parts of Cebu and Panay areas. Super typhoon Yolanda left the
archipelago with thousands of dead people, commercial and residential
structures are destroyed, power is knocked-out; agriculture and
livelihood are washed-out which caused billions of losses. Destruction
is so extensive that brought unimaginable effect to the survivors.
Reports in relation to looting and violence in Tacloban city and
other municipalities are effects of dirty politics, neglect and
corruption. The inability of the government to provide swift, systematic
and effective respond made people behaved violently; shortage of food
is not an issue. The global attention is on the Philippines for the past
few weeks; donations and support in terms of cash, in kinds and in
services are overwhelming. Ships fully loaded of goods are lined-up in
ports of Cebu and Manila; billions of funds are pouring in; despite of
these, families and communities are scrambling to get food.
This calamity is one of the most devastating witnessed by global
community, the spirit of solidarity is heartwarming but the government’s
corrupt practices undermined these initiatives; almost two weeks after
the storm, the number of deaths is still unknown, still climbing. The
number of homeless has been estimated at 2 million, then 4 million, and
still climbing. Information creeps, even as international support comes
in.
Prices of basic commodities increased almost double; lack of power
supply is a lucrative business that exploits the victims. Local business
offered high rate of charging services to the people for their
emergency lights and mobile phones.
In this context, we in Mobile Anarchist School and Onsite Infoshop
decided to act; as always, we act autonomously; providing support such
as this is expensive so we sought support from Local Autonomous Network
(LAN), independent collectives and groups and international network.
Power is crucial in terms of rehabilitation and recovery process, so
we focus our effort in consolidating resources to complete a 150 watts
solar set-up to provide free charging services to community to power up
emergency lights, flashlights and mobile phones. After a week of
soliciting support, we procured 160 watts solar panel, 10 ampere solar
control charger, 500 watts inverter and 12 volts/50 ampere starter
battery.
Inter-Island travelling [20 November]
We made sure that our equipment is working and in good condition, we
packed supplies good for a week; we also prepared packages of relief for
15 families who will support our initiative.
Bus ride is the most practical and cheapest way to reach Leyte. At
nine AM, we left Cubao, Quezon City and negotiated the road connecting
Manila, Laguna and, Quezon; we took ferry to cross the sea between
Sorsogon and Samar. In more than 30 hours we reached San Miguel Leyte.
As we travel, we witnessed the extensive damage in many
municipalities in Leyte; sight of devastation starts right after we
crossed San Juanico a bridge connecting Samar and Leyte. The situation
in Tacloban is relatively peaceful, the people are trying to collect and
salvage remaining useful materials to rebuild their homes at the back
draft of heavily devastated city. We could not find any regular trip so
we rented an expensive jeep going to Municipality of San Miguel. We
reached Barangay Libtong, San Miguel on the 21st of November at four in
the afternoon.
Solar Charging Operations
Day 1
Our actual operation started on the 22nd of November, we charged at
least 40 units of flashlights and mobile phones and we reserve more
units to be charged on the following day. We conducted informal
discussions with the families and let them talk and share their
miseries, grief and difficulties. Unfortunately, our plan to give a free
call and free internet access for communication purposes did not
materialize due to lack of signals.
Day 2
Sunlight was poor due to low pressure area that brought rain; we
decided to temporarily cease operation to re-charge our battery. We
arranged interviews and discussions with localities and barangay
officials to gather data. More phones and flashlights come in for
charging but we stopped accepting and asked people to come back because
we can accommodate only very limited units. We thought to stop accepting
mobile phones since there is no network but we observed people also use
their mobile phones as flashlights.
Day 3
We resume the operations; more people showed-up and waited to be
served. Good thing that sun shone the entire day and we able to charged
at least 30 units. We reduced number of units to avoid under voltage
status. We observed the process of relief distribution of barangay
officials and Philippines air force.
Day 4
We keep accepting phones and flashlights but we able to charge
limited units. The capacity of our solar set-up could only accommodate
30 units per day to avoid draining our battery.
Day 5
We conducted an orientation to local volunteers who will maintain our
solar equipment. Before the team left, we made sure that volunteers are
familiar with the simple process of operation and maintenance to
continue providing free charging services without us.
We are set to travel going to Ormoc City; from Ormoc we took ferry
going to Cebu where we will catch a plane going to Manila. We need to be
in Quezon City in time because we have a climate conference with
Evangelical network.
Ways forward
The incompetence and corruption in the government proved to be more
devastating than the super typhoon itself; based on what we see, we
suggest that people, collectives, private sectors and autonomous network
that are interested to provide support, please send your support
directly. Or coordinate to the groups who are working on the ground.
Avoid government process because goods and supplies will just end up
in storage facilities accessible only to authorities. Thousands of
sacks of rice and goods are being kept by the authorities and
distributing only very limited supplies to the families.
In our part, we would like to expand our set-up of solar power unit.
We are planning to complete 300 watts solar panel, 30 ampere solar
control charger, 500 inverter and two units of 3SM maintenance and deep
cycle batteries to accommodate more units of mobile phones and
flashlights.
We will organize a Solar Guerilla Autonomous Response Team that will immediately react in every
calamity and power collapse situation.
We are going back in the second week of December with upgraded set-up.
http://onsiteinfoshopphilippines.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/leyte-mission-direct-and-autonomous-action/
