Super Typhoon Karding (international name: Typhoon Noru) hit several parts of the Philippines in September 2022. The storm first made landfall at Burdeos, Polillo Island, Quezon Province on the afternoon of September 25.
The following day, NVC Foundation sent 10,000 Mingo Meals to Polillo. Our team coordinated with Fr. Bong Sarabia, CM to make sure that the Mingo Meals got to where they were needed.
After the storm, NVC was the first NGO to visit some parts the island such as Brgy. Bonifacio, Burdeos. In addition to serving Mingo Meals around the island, our Field Officer conducted site inspections. Fr. Bong and Sr. Zorina Zamora assisted her.
We wanted to go beyond providing just emergency assistance, so we shifted our focus to rebuilding homes and livelihoods. 260 Dugmagat Lumad families in 243 households live in Brgy. Bonifacio in Burdeos. These families used to fish and also farm bananas to make a living. However, the storm wiped out all the banana trees and five large boats needed major repairs. On top of that, 143 homes were totally damaged and 100 needed repairs.
Our budget for construction of homes included materials for flooring, walls and roofing. Generous donors gave us money to build 32 homes. However, Fr. Bong and the members of the community found a way to save money. Since they had been given tents by USAID and UNICEF, these were worked into the design for the new homes. Therefore, there was some money left over. In the end, Fr. Bong decided to use these excess funds to buy solar lamps to light homes and the street. The residents of Brgy. Bonifacio and Brgy. Mabini of Burdeos truly appreciate these solar lamps.
