WWF-Philippines Distributes 412 Tarpaulin Roofs to Fishing Communities in Bicol
December 2020
Fishers come to collect their tarpaulin relief aid. These lengths of tarpaulin will serve as a makeshift roof as they work on rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
A total of 412 lengths of tarpaulin were distributed as relief aid to families in fishing communities across the Bicol region.
The aid comes as part of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ effort to provide relief to communities damaged during Typhoons Quinta (International Name: Molave), Rolly (International Name: Goni), and Ulysses (International Name: Vamco). WWF-Philippines has pledged to supply 3,000 lengths of tarpaulin relief aid.
Fishers pick up their tarpaulin relief aid from the tuna landing center in Malilipot, Albay. Hundreds of fisher families from all across Lagonoy Gulf have received aid from WWF-Philippines over the past few weeks. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
The fishing communities around Lagonoy Gulf, Bicol, were among the most heavily damaged during the recent string of storms that struck Luzon.
For some communities, such as those in the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay, not a single home was spared during the storms, with townships suffering complete damage to all houses and structures.
“It’s sad to see. We’ve been working with these communities for so long, and the damage many of them suffered is so total. These tarpaulin tents we’re supplying them with is a temporary fix, but after what happened, this is a really big help for these families,” said WWF-Philippines Project Manager Joann Binondo.
Binondo has worked with the fishers of the Bicol region for almost a decade. Through the Sustainable Tuna Program, she has worked to promote the rights and uplift the livelihoods of small-scale handline tuna fishers since 2011.
Almost all of the 112 communities under the Sustainable Tuna Program were heavily damaged during the recent storms.
As of the first week of December, WWF-Philippines has managed to distribute tarpaulins to the communities of Lourdes, Sugod and Putsan in the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay; Nato, Atulayan, Patitinan and Bongalon in the Municipality of Sagnay, Camarines Sur; Manzana, Dolo, Adiangao and Telegrafo in the Municipality of San Jose, Camarines Sur; San Sebastian and Panagan in the Municipality of Lagonoy, Camarines Sur; and Baliguian, Liwacsa and Bitaogan in the Municipality of Presentacion, Camarines Sur.
WWF-Philippines intends to raise funds for another 2,588 tarpaulins, for a grand total of 3,000 for the families of Lagonoy Gulf. Afterwards, the conservation organization will be raising funds to replace boats that had been completely destroyed during the storms.
A fisher stands beneath his new tarpaulin roof. With their tarpaulin aid, fishers and their families have a place to rest and to store their possessions as they rebuild. Photograph © WWF-Philippines
“For every place we visit, the fishers are very thankful for the help they’ve been receiving. I’m very thankful, too, to everyone who has decided to lend a hand to our fishers and their families,” added Binondo. There are many families that still need help, and many troubles that still need addressing across the Bicol region – but the relief that has arrived will go a long way toward helping those in need. Support Project Silong, and help us #ChangeTheEnding of this climate crisis.
Donate now at https://archive.wwf.org.ph/project-silong/ and support the fishers of Bicol!
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Joann Binondo
Sustainable Tuna Partnerships Project Manager
jbinondo@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Pam Luber
Integrated Communications Manager
pluber@wwf.org.ph
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Public Relations, Media, and Events Assistant Manager
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
