In early part of November, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, slammed into the Philippines, leaving a path of devastation and death through the islands of the middle part of the country. Two years previously, Typhoon Sendong, smaller in size, but also very destructive, had likewise left a path of destruction and death across the southern Filipino island of Mindanao.
Columban Fr Paul Finlayson together with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, in Mindanao, has been involved in a project, partly sponsored by the Columbans, to provide individual housing in a new, safe area for 600 families who were victims of Typhoon Sendong. This new village is called The Mother of Divine Mercy Village.
Recently Columban Fr Paul Oxley, who is the Bursar General for the Columbans, visited the Mother of Divine Mercy Village to see what progress has been made and how the funds have been spent. Fr Oxley writes:
It was a surprise and a delight to see what has been accomplished over the last 12 months. This has ranged from the purchase of land, the development of facilities such as roads, water, drainage, electricity, and the construction of over 350 houses so far.
"I joined in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist in a roughly constructed 'multi-purpose' centre. What was striking was the large number of children and babies. This suggests that the population of the village is going to grow quite rapidly over the next few years and place serious demands of various social infrastructure and services which as yet do not exist (social services, mid-wives, medical clinic, community meeting places etc).
"Visiting the village, it is very clear that the funds received, the donations, have been well spent. The 480 foot deep well, 100,000 litre water tank, the local chlorination system and the underground piping are complete and are effectively distributing potable water to the current population. The local engineers consider there is enough capacity to cater for the whole village when all the planned houses are built.
"I met with Ana Belma Flores, the Columban Lay Missionary working mainly with the community now in the village. Ana, along with a couple of other key persons, has assisted in the final selection of the residents for the village. This selection was based on the registered groups of affected refugees from Typhoon Sendong and certified by the government as being still in need of housing. There is no criteria for selection that excluded anyone because of religious belief or of social status.
"It does mean however that various social sub-sectors are also included, including some who previously came from a life of crime. It is this group which has been causing some problems in the new community with instances of theft occurring. Some local residents have acquired handguns supposedly for their own protection and this in itself is causing other social problems.
"Ana and her companions have attempted to build some community structure and the current residents are due to elect their leaders for the second year. If these leaders are not effective in the eyes of the community, it is likely de-facto leaders will arise and the probability is that these will come from the criminal elements.
This is another reason for an education programme to assist the residents live together in greater harmony and understanding of the new situation. Many who are already established are doing their best to improve their surrounds with flower and vegetable gardens around their homes.
"Regarding the houses themselves, they are larger than what is provided in similar sites for refugees from Typhoon Sendong in the Cagayan de Oro area. There is also more space provided in the street so that the rows of houses do not seem to overcrowd each other.
"Funding is still needed for some community infrastructure. One of the unused houses is currently used as a preschool and will soon need new premises. A local family has established a bakery in an unused house that will also need new premises soon. Ana and her team need space for a library for school children. The school is some way outside the village. Groups are willing to donate the books but at the moment there is nowhere to place them.
"There is a plan to develop a village office and a small meeting place. The multi-purpose centre needs major redevelopment as does the village plaza. There is need for a medical clinic, especially for a visiting midwife and for a village pharmacy. A number of houses have turned their front window into a small shop with daily essentials while some others have placed a table in front of the house where they sell food."
Fr Paul Oxley concludes his letter by stating that:
"The work that is done so far is excellent overall and the people involved are to be congratulated for a work well done and for their perseverance so far to achieve it."
Columban Frs Paul Oxley and Paul Finlayson have been missionaries in the Philippines since 1975.
Peruvian Columban Lay Missionary Ana Belma Flores has been in the Philippines since 2009.
Read more from The Far East, Jan/Feb 2014