Partial Report - Bangon Biliran Relief Operations by Kristian Jacob Lora

Balik-Biliran Network
Bangon Biliran Relief Operations

R   E   P   O   R   T

                Balik-Biliran Network was created online via Facebook on November 9, 2013, a day after Super-Typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines. The group was initially established for the purpose of crowd-sourcing information on the situation of Biliran which was unknown that time since all communication lines were down.

As the network grew, the founders began to negotiate with organizations conducting relief operations to give some packs to Biliran. University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Alumni Association was the first donor which donated 400 packs of goods. Due to urgency, the first batch of relief goods was immediately delivered to Naval via Roble Shipping Company on November 16. Reports say that the said goods were turned over to the Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, donations in kind and in cash came as early as November 11. As of November 17, the Network was able to raise 1,183 packs of goods which were delivered to Naval via Ceres Bus Line on November 18 as the second batch of relief goods. Starting on November 21 (see the table below), the second batch was distributed to gravely affected barangays of Biliran[1], Cabucgayan and Naval – the gravely affected towns (in the same order from malign to benign) according to the latest report of the Biliran Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Center.

The third batch of goods, composed of the packed goods raised in Cebu and those gathered in Manila, was delivered to Naval on November 23 via Roble Shipping Company. The third batch constituted 1,022 packed goods and was distributed starting November 26.

DATE	AREA (No. of Family-Beneficiaries)[2]	PERSON/S-IN-CHARGE	REMARKS
November 21, 2013	Biliran, Biliran ·      Brgy. San Isidro (90) ·      Brgy. Omas (93) ·      Brgy. Hugpa (30) Naval, Biliran ·      Brgy. Higatangan (150)	Judy Zuasula, Kristian Jacob Lora, Marites Gordonas, Kendi Bernardes, Erma Montes	Beneficiaries were satisfied with the goods. Balik-Biliran goods are better than those given by their LGU which contained expired noodles and rotten rice.

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[1] 600 packs of goods were given to Biliran. In the table, only 385 were accounted to have been distributed. The rest will still be followed up as to where they were distributed.

[2] Names of the beneficiaries will also be posted

 

November 22, 2013	Biliran, Biliran ·      Brgy. San Roque (85) ·      Brgy. Busali (64) ·      Brgy. Pinangomhan (23)	Metho Rosales, Toto Gayrama, Arthur Nierras
November 24, 2013	Cabucgayan, Biliran ·      Brgy. Balaquid (25) ·      Brgy. Esperanza (64) ·      Brgy. Libertad (46) ·      Brgy. Looc (30) ·      Brgy. Langgao (22) ·      Brgy. Pawikan (15) ·      Brgy. Talibong (18)	Dexter  Mesias, Swanie, Cenia Cabasares, Tito Mendoza, JR, Marlon	Few residents complained for not having been included in the list.
November 26, 2013	Naval, Biliran ·      Brgy. Agpangi (41) ·      Brgy. Sabang (42) ·      Brgy. Smo. Rosario (105) ·      Brgy. Sto. Niño-Sabang (81)	Kristian Jacob Lora, Carl Licaros, Jamaica Buñales, Wella Villordon, Pinky Veloso Kareen Galicia, Edralene Villarin, Emilyn Villarin, Phoebe Docallos	Few residents complained for not having been included in the list.
November 27, 2013	Cabucgayan, Biliran ·      Brgy. Baso (299) ·      Brgy. Casiawan (221) ·      Brgy. Caanibongan (71)	Dexter  Mesias, Swanie	Residents of the said upland barangays are the most gravely affected since their means of livelihood (copra and agriculture) were destroyed and they are living far from the center of the town.

Prepared by:

 

KRISTIAN JACOB ABAD LORA
Founder/Head, Balik-Biliran Network

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1394117480827195/

[Verse 1]
You're the God of this City 
You're the King of these people 
You're the Lord of this nation 
You are 

[Verse 2]
You're the Light in this darkness 
You're the Hope to the hopeless 
You're the Peace to the restless 
You are 

There is no one like our God 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater thing have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 

[Verse 1]

[Verse 2]

There is no one like our God 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done here 

There is no one like our god 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
Greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done here

I was in our Girls room sleeping when the earthquake happened. My lotions and other girly staff including my rosary and sto. niño image fell off. Really it was not a joke for all of us here in Visayas especially living in Bohol and Cebu. The incident did put a mark in us... It causes death to our fellow Bisaya and some buildings collapses. Everyone was going out in their houses to kept themselves safe especially in the hospitals where patients were put outside the buildings. It was terrifying! We were having mixed emotions... I,myself, was feeling in awe for our patients in the hospitals and of those who suffered a lot where parts of the buildings collapses.

Hours past and there was still after shock of the earthquake. We knew that aftershock should be less shake but it wasn't. So some of our fellow Bisaya sleeping and stayed in the open space or in evacuation center. Likewise, the patients in the Hospitals stayed outside the building.

Last night I was reminded of our theme "Let Your FEAR Be Bigger than Your fears!", during our World Singles Congress in Subic.

Yeah right. Thank You daddy God it should be like that.... Faith Works Wonders!!! I should be thankful that yesterday was a holiday and it happened in the morning. It was a blessing indeed because God was guiding and protecting us. What do you think will happen if the earthquake occur during regular days and everybody is busy working and some are having classes??? I couldn't imagine the damage otherwise. 

We should think that God is guiding us all the way. Keep on praying... Trust and have Faith.

Last night I prayed the ROSARY and it healed me... my fear went away... I slept well with strong faith and I knew that someone out there was guiding us, my guardian angel was also present.

"An Amazing Faith Causes a Person to be Willing to Trust Christ Alone " - June Household Topic

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. 

(Hebrews 11:1) 

It is not for us to judge the Lord nor make any misconceptions on what will happen in the next few hours or what happen in the world but let's thank the Lord for everything that He gave us. Let's continue to pray and trust Him. Live the Life to the fullest in God's hands. Let our FEARS BE BIGGER THAN OUR fears! 

Fear inhibits us from acting in faith. God can work wonders if only we have faith in Him. So let us not be worry. God has a bigger plan to us. Be still! Let us help each other to be strong, praying more and by faith we will move mountains.