Eyewitness report by Virgie Vidad of the Pedalling to Live project founded by Fr Oliver McCrossan on the impact of Typhoon Falcon.
On Tuesday 16 July 2019 at 8am Typhoon Falcon hit Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte and destroyed thousands of houses and caused much damage. Maranding is a former parish of the Columbans.
The local government is still gathering information about the destroyed houses including Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND). I had a short conversation with few typhoon victims on 17 July during my visit.
47-year-old Juanita Perales is married with eight children. They lived at Purok Star Apple, Maranding for 30 years. There are 27 families living in this area which is very near the river.
At 7am in the morning her son called and warned her to evacuate because he had heard that there was a landslide nearby in the mountains.
Without delay, she informed the neighbours and started packing all their things.
At 8am, 27 houses were destroyed by the flood along with livestock, corn, banana and coconut trees. Boulders and logs from the mountain contributed to the destruction of the farms and homes.
The flooding and landslide is the result of the continued quarrying and illegal logging in the neighbouring barangay of Lala, Lanao del Norte.
The same families were the victims also of Typhoon Vinta in December 2017.
Juanita Perales said they have no other place to go since they work as a block-makers near where they live. Some of them are tricycle drivers and farmers.
In the meantime, the 27 families are temporarily staying at the abandoned poultry building. The local government is trying to find ways to relocate these families.
According to Mrs Perales, two years ago during Typhoon Vinta, they requested the local government provide them with shelter but they are still waiting for housing.
This time, they really need food, shelter and farm tools to rebuild their lives.
They do not feel safe living in this area because of the constant risk of flooding, but they have no choice as their livelihood comes from their farm and in making hollow blocks.
Six towns in Lanao Norte have been inundated by the flash floods caused by Typhoon Falcon: Tubod, Salvador, Maranding, Kapatagan, Sapad and Sultan Naga Dimaporo.
If you would like to donate in support of the work of Virgie Vidad in the Philippines, please see: https://columbans.ie/donate/ and mark your donation for the ‘Pedalling to Live’ project. You can send a donation by post to: Missionary Society of St Columban, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath, C15 AY2Y. Telephone: 00353 46 9021525.