Typhoon Haiyan: 7 months later

[SD-6]

Tacloban Fish Shed by alabang, on Flickr

This was photographed at was once a very busy and bustling "Fish Shed" for the city of Tacloban that serviced most of the seafood requirement of Eastern Visayas. After nearly 7 months the people who worked there are building back and going back to business as usual.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zzv8W

[SD-6]

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven" by alabang, on Flickr

Neighbourhood kids playing before a beached cargo ship in Rawis, Anibong, Tacloban City.

They appeared to have adjusted to the fact that boats run aground are the new normal. To me it looks like it's the set to the TV program "Lost".

[obsi]

great to know things are slowly getting back to normal, will be returning there next week

[SD-6]

Thanks and thanks for helping obsi.

Yes, the center watermark is distracting but I don't want my photo stolen.


Tacloban Astrodome by alabang, on Flickr

The Tacloban City Convention Center, better known to locals as the "Astrdome" is a 5,000-seat indoor arena located in Tacloban City, Philippines. It is used primarily for basketball, concerts, regional events and other conventions. It is the biggest indoor arena in Eastern Visayas region. It also hosts a Carnival in the month of June in celebration of the Fiesta on June 30th. It also Hosts Offices and bars.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacloban_City_Convention_Center

During and after the aftermath of Cat 5 Typhoon Haiyan (Philippine name: Yolanda) it served as a refuge for survivors.

This photo of the Tacloban Astrodome taken on May 27, 2014 is perhaps the last one of the interior before the fire that hit it on May 29, 2014.

Read More:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/29/14/after-deadly-tent-fire-blaze-hits-tacloban-astrodome
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/363249/news/regions/fire-hits-tacloban-city-astrodome-no-casualties

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/muRVg

[SD-6]

Tanauan Tent City Babes by alabang, on Flickr

This baby is one of the many many children living in the Tanauan Tent City 7 months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.

[SD-6]

Tanauan Tent City by alabang, on Flickr

Tanauan National High School is the site of the Tent City of Tanauan. Some 10,000 people live here and other close by areas for the past 7 months after November's Typhoon Haiyan while waiting for their permanent housing to be completed.

The heat index on the day I photographed this was at 41C or 106F.

The common worry amongst the people living here is the incoming typhoon season that may yield another typhoon like Haiyan/Yolanda.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BReaC

[SD-6]

Two-spot red snapper (Lutjanus bohar) by alabang, on Flickr

This Two-spot red snapper, Lutjanus bohar (local name "Maya-maya") is a regular catch at the Tacloban Fish Shed. I was told that this snapper is estimated to be about 5kg and that in bulk price it sells for $2.27/lbs.

If I had a proper kitchen to work in I would've bought this fish outright and make lunch!

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/sXcma

[SD-6]

Tanauan Basketball League by alabang, on Flickr

Basketball is the national sport of the Philippines. So it comes to no surprise that a pickup game can be found at the Tent City of Tanauan City while the survivors await their permanent housing.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BReaC

[audiophileman2002]

Tacloban Fish Shed by alabang, on Flickr

This was photographed at was once a very busy and bustling "Fish Shed" for the city of Tacloban that serviced most of the seafood requirement of Eastern Visayas. After nearly 7 months the people who worked there are building back and going back to business as usual.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/zzv8W

Very nice image!

[SD-6]

Thanks!


Permanent Housing Units Platform by alabang, on Flickr

This is the permanent housing units for Yolanda survivors of Tanauan City who live in the "no build zone". It is built more in land and some units are being occupied.


Permanent Housing Units Corridor by alabang, on Flickr

This is the permanent housing units for Yolanda survivors who live in the "no build zone". It is built more in land and some units are being occupied.


Permanent Housing Units Interior by alabang, on Flickr

This is the interior of a permanent housing unit.


Permanent Housing Units Exterior by alabang, on Flickr

The house at center is what it looks from the outside.

[audiophileman2002]

Hey Paolo,
Do the units have running water & toilet? Aesthetically, they at least looked good, not bad at all. The occupants have to finish the inside?
Thanks.

[SD-6]

The first and last image shows power line. Interior image shows a closed white door to what I assume to be the bathroom. As for water there are two options either there is water piped in to every home or they must make do with with the more conventional water pump or deep well. As for the kitchen I did not take any effort to see one as I was racing against the sun setting. I assume there is one though.

These permanent housing units confirm to the building code of the Philippines.

Keep in mind, most of the residents here are squatters who built their shacks from discarded building material that would never pass any building code and probably never had a title to their previous home. Within that context this is a major upgrade for them.

The hardest hit sector of society is the middle class that got little to no help from anyone and are expected to fend for themselves. As with how things are done in the Philippines the middle class do not have home insurance so most must dip into their life's savings to make repairs to their homes. So imaging having to spend your retirement money to make sure the roof over your head stays over your head for the next Category 5 storm?

Upper class would've booked a flight out of the country and spent time decompressing in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the US or even Canada.


Mass Grave of San Joaquin Parish by alabang, on Flickr

On the grounds of the San Joaquin Parish in Palo, Leyte is the mass grave site of the town's dead from Typhoon Haiyan. More than 200 people are buried here.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/T4ZUm

[JoeyGS]

With the current situation and recent experience with Yolanda, the houses built in accordance with the "current" building code (with respect to wind loading/resistance) will not suffice. Therefore, another yolanda will definitely blow the roof off and break those windows. As far as I remember the current code requirement for wind resistance design for structures in these areas should be at 250kph. Those windows won't be able to withstand 250kph. I hope a safety factor on top of the 250khp design has been provided for to withstand another yolanda.

Paolo, you are right. At least the poor families at the first ones provided with support from the government. The middle income families are left alone

[SD-6]

Joey, sadly any deviation from the law like the building code would put govt officials at risk of corruption charges.

This is why the rehab czar is asking for help from the private sector to speed things up. Private sector can move faster without bureaucracy and red tape hampering them.

[JoeyGS]

Wow ..... Risk of corruption charges while we put our kababayan at risk of devastation again ...... Chicken or the egg ... So sad

[SD-6]

I personally cannot blame them. You know how it is here in the Philippines. Once people hear you misused funds you're just a hearbeat away from impeachment.

This law http://www.dbm.gov.ph/?page_id=775 also does not help in natural disasters as severe as Yolanda.

[SD-6]

Angels Cry by alabang, on Flickr

Despite all the help being given today, more needs to be done. We who have family in the hardest hit areas of the Philippines are most grateful for the tangible help being given to everyone around the world.

We just entered the monsoon season and more typhoons are expected to start arriving on an almost weekly basis. We pray for your help when the need arises again.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/U63DN

[JoeyGS]

I hope they can be relocated to higher ground where at least there will be no flooding or flash floods......

[SD-6]

The ground breaking of another permanent housing unit is located in the mountains. Kaso if you're a fisherman you'll need to travel 30 mins up and 30 mins down to get to the sea.

[SD-6]

Hi guys!

The Youtube Video of SBS Australia's Dateline story of Tacloban City, 7 months after Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, is up. I was part of the production of the story.

http://youtu.be/iA-eD2NErmg

A photo gallery of this trip can be viewed http://www.sbs.com.au/news/gallery/pict ... r-disaster

All photos by me unless indicated.