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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.

[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.