Bohol Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bohol met on January 31, 2022, at BFAR Office, Dao District, Tagbilaran City, and talked about the possible post-typhoon activities in the area.
The meeting was joined by BFAR Bohol Chief Mr. Candido Samijon, BCCI Executive Director, and Area Coordinator. This is to maintain a partnership with the project and alignment of objectives on rehabilitation after the Typhoon where BFAR conducted assisted training on fiberglass boat making.
Super Typhoon Odette rushed through the Philippines, making its first landfall in the coastal region of Siargao on December 16, 2021, followed by eight additional landfalls in the Mindanao and Visayas regions. The typhoon delivered torrential rains, powerful gusts, flooding, and storm surges, wreaking havoc throughout its route.
On December 21, 2021, the Philippine government announced a one-year state of calamity over Region IVB, including Palawan, Region VI, Region VII, Region VIII, Region X, and Region XIII, in response to the impact and damage caused by Typhoon Odette. The calamity declaration will enable local governments to access their respective calamity monies to assist typhoon-affected residents. Additionally, such declarations allow for price limitations on basic needs in disaster-stricken areas, expediting rescue and relief activities. The government indicated its openness to allow foreign assistance to help meet those affected most pressing needs.
According to government figures, the storm displaced about 3 million people throughout eleven regions and 10,100 barangays/villages, killing approximately 405 people and injuring others. Over 133,000 people remain stranded, including 77,000 in evacuation camps. A sum of 1.9 million dwellings has been damaged, including 427,000 destroyed. According to the NDRRMC report dated February 9, 2022, ten million hectares of cropland were devastated, over 120,000 cattle and poultry were lost, and the cost of fisheries damage is estimated at more than two billion Philippine Pesos (US 39 Million).
Seven weeks later, the government offered affected families $28.6 million in aid. Camp management and accommodation, WASH, security and GBV, health, and agriculture continue to be the highest priorities. On February 2, 2022, the Humanitarian Country Team launched a six-month modified Humanitarian Needs and Priorities strategy to augment the Government’s ongoing relief efforts. The plan wants $169 million, increasing the previous $107 million.
Bohol is one of the places that generally experience natural disasters. In October 2013, a strong earthquake demolished one of its churches and seriously damaged infrastructure. However, because the tremor struck on a holiday, fatalities were limited.
After a month, Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged large swathes of the Philippines, becoming the most massive storm to hit land in the country’s recorded history.