Mt. Bulusan Eruption Emergency Relief Operation

Conduct of Relief Delivery Operation

Social, Political, and Economic Framework Condition in the Reporting Period

           In recent years after the breakthrough of the pandemic, the next thing Filipinos experienced was a huge impact on the economy. The rapid rise in inflation, and rising oil and commodity prices, have hit the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos. Despite the economic crisis, the previous Duterte-led government focused on silencing its critics, particularly those from the farming, labor, and transportation sectors. Where those who are not based on the concrete and basic needs of the citizens are criticized. These are just some of the difficulties and deluges that Filipinos face in their daily lives.

            Along with these are the natural calamities that the country suffers every year. The affected families of typhoon Odette and Agaton are still in the stage of recovery. When the rainy season occurred, several towns were reported to have suffered from floods. Several earthquakes in the whole country occurred most especially where active volcanoes are located. Filipinos are used to dealing with these occurrences. They only strive to survive and have foregone dreams for better lives.

            In the agricultural sector, farmers were extremely suffering from the lowering prices of the palay and rising prices of chemicals like fertilizers. When a disaster affects their source of livelihood, this is a double burden for the farmers in their quest for survival. Farmers are in debt with several lending corporations that led them to break even, and worse is no income.  Almost half of the production cost is spent to purchase fertilizers, pay additional labor fees, and equipment rental. The net income sometimes would be paid for the debt incurred. These situations were particular for farmers who own land, thus there are more farmers that are only farm laborers and were not earning enough from the work they provided.

            The resilience of farmers from the disaster is far from reality. Millions of farmers are not yet aware that farming knowledge and skills are not only intended for commercialization but rather have a huge part in addressing national concerns on food security.

Project Activities Implemented and Results Achieved

Social preparation

• Coordination with LGU of Irosin Barangay Council
• Consultation meeting with DPC Irosin
• Beneficiary list completion
• Volunteers Orientation
• Technical needs preparation
• Repacking
• Distribution of Relief goods

Rowena Nayat’s Case Story:

Mother Surviving the disaster of Mt. Bulusan

            Rowena Nayat, 41 years old and mother of four children, survived the disaster of Mt. Bulusan for the third time when two recorded Phreatic Explosions happened last June 2022 that caused lahar flow in their community in Brgy. Cogon, Irosin.

           Lahar flow took around 54 minutes on June 26, 2022, coming from Cadac-an River and Calang Creek located in their barangay. According to Nayat, the lahar flow stopped their daily source of livelihood prohibiting them to cross the river just to harvest vegetables. She’s been a vegetable vendor for 20 years supporting her family.

“When it rains heavily, the lahar comes down from the fields, and you can't really cross the river so it's hard to find vegetables,” she said.

Nayat was among the beneficiaries who received food packs and Hygiene Kits during the relief drive of Tarabang Para sa Bicol, Inc. (TABI) in partnership with Citizen’s Disaster Response Center.