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Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc.

Having faith in the mission: the Ruby Emergency Response in Catbalogan City

A man carries the ActionAid foodpacks in Barangay Cagutsan for relief distribution.
A man carries the ActionAid foodpacks in Barangay Cagutsan for relief distribution.

The aftermath of the Typhoon Hagupit was a damp and bleak. Electricity was out and one could hear the chorus of generators across the city. Daylight was a blessing; nighttime was almost a curse—streets were only lit by the lights coming from passing vehicles and stores relied on candles and emergency lights. It was as if the whole town was deserted.

The rains though, didn’t stop the team from Balay Mindanaw to respond to the needs of the people in the Barangays of Mombon, Cagutsan, Cinco and Rama. These island barangays belong to the greater Siera Group of Islands located an hour away from the mainland of Catbalogan City. Composed of seven island barangays, the islands is regarded as one of the tourist spots in Catbalogan City.Read More »Having faith in the mission: the Ruby Emergency Response in Catbalogan City

TS Seniang Monitoring – Consolidated Update

29 DECEMBER 2014 | 7PM

General Situation

Seniang started as a Low Pressure Area in the Pacific Ocean. Despite predictions that it was not likely to intensify into a storm, the LPA steadily gained windspeed and became a Tropical Depression and then a Tropical Storm before it made its landfall in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur 3:45 AM of Monday, December 29, 2014.

As of Monday 29 December 2014, 5PM PAG-ASA reported that Tropical Storm Seniang is now traversing the Bohol Sea. It currently has maximum sustained winds of 65kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80kph. It is forecasted to move West Northwest at 11kph. It is forecasted to be 100km of Dumaguete City on Tuesday afternoon, and will be 360km Southwest of Puerto Princesa City by Thursday.

There is an estimated 7.5-15mm of rainfall per hour (moderate to heavy) within the 300km diameter of Seniang. Ocean waves are predicted to reach up to 4 meters.Read More »TS Seniang Monitoring – Consolidated Update

BMG UPDATE ON TYPHOON RUBY / HAGUPIT NO. 4

7 December 2014, 6PM (AFTER LANDFALL)

Typhoon Updates

At 9:15PM last night, Typhoon Ruby made landfall over the municipality of Dolores in Eastern Samar. It has since made its second landfall over Cataingan, Masbate as of PAG-ASA’s 11AM update today. The typhoon is expected to make its third landfall in Sibuyan Island at around 8-10PM tonight. It currently has maximum sustained winds of 140kph and gustiness of 170kph.  As of 3PM Ruby was located 20KM Southeast of Masbate. (PAG-ASA)After its first landfall it has since been reclassified as Category 2. (Weather Underground)

The typhoon is forecasted to move West Northwest at 15kph. Tomorrow morning it is expected to be 20km Southwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or 150km South of Science Garden, Quezon City. On Tuesday morning it is expected to be 260km West of Calapan City or 260 km West Southwest of Science Garden. (PAG-ASA)Read More »BMG UPDATE ON TYPHOON RUBY / HAGUPIT NO. 4

BMG Update on Typhoon Ruby / Hagupit No. 3

7 December 2014, 12PM (AFTER LANDFALL)

Typhoon Updates

At 9:15PM last night, Typhoon Ruby made landfall over the municipality of Dolores in Eastern Samar. It has since made its second landfall over Cataingan, Masbate as of PAG-ASA’s 11AM update today. The typhoon is expected to make its third landfall in Sibuyan Island tonight. The Typhoon’s diameter has also reduced from 700 km prior to landfall to 600 km at landfall. Its diameter is now 500km. Within this diameter, heavy to torrential rains of 10 mm to less than 30mm is estimated. It currently has maximum sustained winds of 140kph and gustiness of 170kph. (PAG-ASA)

Before landfall, the typhoon’s strength reduced slightly reclassifying it from a Category 4 Typhoon to a Category 3. After its first landfall it has since been reclassified as Category 2. (Weather Underground)

The typhoon is forecasted to move West Northwest at 15kph. Tomorrow morning it is expected to be 20km Southwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or 150km South of Science Garden, Quezon City. On Tuesday morning it is expected to be 260km West of Calapan City or 260 km West Southwest of Science Garden.Read More »BMG Update on Typhoon Ruby / Hagupit No. 3

BMG UPDATE ON TYPHOON RUBY / HAGUPIT NO. 2

6 December 2014, 7 PM (BEFORE LANDFALL)

Operations Center

Yesterday 2PM, the Balay Mindanaw Group currently based in Cagayan de Oro City held a meeting to discuss action points and possible emergency response during and following the Typhoon Ruby (International Name: Hagupit).

It was determined that there is no immediate need for Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City and other Balay Mindanaw areas in Mindanao, with the possible exception of the Pacific- facing Surigao provinces. Monitoring of these areas, particularly in Surigao del Sur which is host to a Balay Mindanaw area-based team is currently ongoing. In any case, the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center and Kalambuan Center are still prepared to accept evacuees if the need arises.

The group assessed the capacity to respond, including material resources and available volunteers.

The group also discussed the possible scenarios that we may face once the typhoon is over. It was agreed upon that whichever scenario would occur, the BMG would adhere to some basic DREAM principles that were articulated by Kaloy Manlupig:

  1. The LGU is still considered the first and primary responder. Balay Mindanaw only intends to supplement because we have limited resources.
  2. Our wave of focus of emergency response (if multiple areas are hit hard) is Cagayan de Oro, and then Mindanao, and then Visayas.
  3. We will remain community-based and barangay-focused.
  4. Our capacity and capability are dependent on our resources and our ability to mobilize volunteers.

The current DREAM structure was also clarified and solidified, particularly with regards to overall coordination, logistics, monitoring and communication.Read More »BMG UPDATE ON TYPHOON RUBY / HAGUPIT NO. 2