WIMLER extends aid to Bantayan Islands, Cebu

From: Joy Arenas-Tadios
Focal Person: Bantay para sa Bantayan

"My friend Mylene S. Villanueva, who used to live in Hong Kong, sent a private message in Facebook asking for help in Bantayan Island. Most of the news coverage are centered in Tacloban, Leyte  thus aids and other relief goods are directed to that place leaving Bantayan and other provinces in dire need of help. Myles connected us with her sister who is based in Cebu, Doctor Karen Seville-Fernan, for further information of what are the priority needs of the Island."

Bantayan Island is located in the Visayas Region at the northern part of Cebu Island. Based on the 2010 census, it has a total population of around 136,000.

Doc Karen (Nov. 11, private message) informed us that 90% of Bantayan Island is completely devastated by Typhoon Yolanda. In the mainland, one barangay (Sitio Baluarte, Suba) was totally washed out followed by Barangay Talisay in Sta. Fe and the one in Madridejos. The total number of affected households reached 19,491 including the  892 households in Suba.  As of November 12, Doc Karen was able to gather some amount to transport the first batch of relief goods that family friends and employees are able to contribute. They intend to bring the goods themselves this Saturday November 15 and distribute in the community as information reached them that local government officials are prioritizing people who voted for them during the local election. Her team will asses the area this weekend to check what other needs are to be prioritized. She already flagged that for basic necessities they need canned goods, blankets, toiletries and water. But for long term help, she will check how many families in the severely hit barangay would need GI sheets for the roofing or even nipa (traditional roofing material made of leaves). Medicines are already covered as pharmaceutical companies have already donated.

Some news items and photos of Bantayan Island:

1     http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/11/14/13/typhoon-hit-bantayan-hints-tourism-paradise-lost

    http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/350585-bantayan-island-typhoon-yolanda-lands-on-island-at-104 unknown-damage/?photo=2 

        https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.703314333014160&type=1&l=af67bd23f1

In-kind donations for Bantayan, Cebu relief drive

Names	Items
Yssa Cornelio	Noodles, canned goods, used towels but in good condition
Rowena Velo and friends	Soaps, toothpaste
Mer Paredes	Toothpastes, canned goods, some noodles and ready to eat food, used clothes in good condition
Valerie Yap	Used towels in good condition (3pcs)
Pooja Pant	Used towels in good condition (3 pcs), used blankets in good condition
Nadira Lamrad and friends	4 packs diapers of various sizes, sanitary napkins and antibiotic creams
Luz, Myles’s friend	Toothpastes, soaps, used clothes in good condition, 2 packs of pasta, some canned goods
Judy Pacali	Used blankets in good condition, used clothes in good condition
Filipinas Mungcal	Used shirts and pants in good condition
Roshan Harjani	3 pcs fleece blankets brand new, 3 pcs used towels in good condition, used blankets in good condition, kids clothes
Lubert and Abigail Tan	Used clothes in good condition, kids clothes
Zarah Chiu	Used clothes in good condition
Sheena Martinez and Joy Arenas	Sponsored 1 BIDA box worth $685
Myrna Maco	Used clothes in good condition
Ella and Kate Arenas	Kids clothes and toothbrushes

UPDATES:

                                  Four hundred blankets will be sent by air tomorrow (21.11.2013)

                                  from Manila to Cebu City. Final destination: BANTAYAN ISLANDS

Joy Arenas-Tadios' and family preparing the goods for shipment to Bantayan.
Joy is one of the members of  the Board of WIMLER HK and the
focal person for Bantayan Relief Drive

November 23, 2013

Here ‘s the Nov 23 update from our contact person Dr. Karen Fernan:

A total of 103 trapals (laminated sacks) were distributed to Barangays Pooc, Poblacion and Marikaban in Sta. Fe, Bantayan Islands. Her friend Joan Nepangue led the distribution yesterday. Another set of trapals are to be distributed in Botong islet. The trapals are used as temporary shelters of the typhoon affected families.

A local team of volunteers from Cebu distributed the first batch of tarpauins (trapals) in Bantayan Islands. Thank you Dr. Karen, Joan, etc. WIMLER HK is now preparing for the next bigger shipment. Joy Tadios-Arenas, one of the directors of WIMLER Foundation who leads the Bantayan relief operations, is now preparing for the next shipment. We still need more tarpaulins, blankets, canned goods, etc. HOWEVER, due to high cost of shipping, we would like to ask our donors to contribute CASH not goods. WIMLER volunteers will buy the goods in Cebu City. This will save us from shipping cost. THANK YOU to our donors especially City University of Hong Kong, USA Pinoys, and Friends of Wimler.