Stories

Bantay Dagat, communities clash as LGU doubles down on protection policies

QUINAPONDAN, Eastern Samar — Sachets and plastic wastes entangled in mangrove roots were the very first intruders that Christopher Quiza, a Bantay Dagat of Quinapondan fish sanctuaries, had to face at the start of his day. Just as the sun’s rays lit the sea, Quiza’s bag was filled with trash he...

ANNOUNCEMENT: Oxfam Pilipinas' First Executive Director

Following its establishment as an Oxfam International affiliate, Oxfam Pilipinas' Board of Trustees is now pleased to announce the appointment of Erika Geronimo as our first Executive Director.

Guiuan coastal folks turn to mangroves, seawall for protection

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — Nine years after the deadly storm surge triggered by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) flattened communities in Eastern Visayas, residents of a village in Guiuan town still feel anxious. It is because the seawall in Barangay Bungtod that was destroyed by...

In northern Salcedo, restoring mangroves is a community endeavor

SALCEDO, Eastern Samar — When Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) wiped out much of the mangroves in Eastern Visayas, Oliver Layugan, a resident of Salcedo town, was filled with horror. Over the years, the local government of Salcedo and private organizations have been working hand...

Rebuilding life after the storm

Jay Lumakang’s family has suffered many tragedies in life. When Super Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette) struck in December 2021, their home in Barangay Pancil, Malitbog, Southern Leyte was completely destroyed. This resulted in Jay being separated from his mother and younger brother. They are...
For Robert Escobar, phone transactions enable access to aid that might otherwise be beyond his reach. Photo: Elizabeth Stevens/Oxfam America

When jumping the gun is the right thing to do

When Super Typhoon Rai struck the Philippines in December 2021, it was catastrophic. Wind speeds reached more than 180 miles per hour, and many areas received five or more feet of rainfall. In its aftermath, more than 11 million people needed assistance.
Alberto Miole, 88 years old one of the recipients of the jerry cans and vouchers for purified drinking water distributed by Oxfam Pilipinas and partner Exodus from Child Labor to Integration, Play Socialization and Education, Inc. (ECLIPSE) as part of the emergency response for STY Rai. (Photo: ECLIPSE, Inc.)

Typhoon survivor grateful for aid

Alberto Miole, 88 years old, is a widower who lives alone in his small hut, which was totally damaged by Super Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette) as it made landfall in Southern Leyte province on December 16, 2021. His wife passed away three years ago. They had six children who now have their...
Jonathan (37 years old) and Marlouie (33 years old) are among the recipients of jerry cans with vouchers for purified drinking water to the typhoon survivors. (Photo: ECLIPSE, Inc.)

Fisherfolk struggle after super typhoon

Despite all the preparations to safeguard their homes and livelihoods, the community of Barangay Ichon in Macrohon municipality, Southern Leyte province, Philippines, still took a heavy toll of damages brought by Super Typhoon (STY) Rai (locally known as Odette) last December 16, 2021.

Why sexual health matters

When the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH) of 2012 was passed, many were optimistic that Filipino adolescents would receive comprehensive and useful information about sexual health through the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Unfortunately, to this day, the CSE...