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.    

There is a saying that in every catastrophe, there is a greater opportunity ahead. But the reality is, most of the time, those who experienced catastrophic incidents could not help but wonder if the sun would still rise on their side.   

The typhoon left the community with no electricity for months, while access to clean and safe drinking water was also a problem. To address the concern on WASH, Oxfam Pilipinas and partner Exodus from Child Labor to Integration, Play Socialization and Education, Inc. (ECLIPSE) provided jerry cans with vouchers for purified drinking water to the typhoon survivors. Among the recipients are fisherfolks like Jonathan Orais and Marlouie Lampong.   

Jonathan, 37 years old, is married and with four children. His eldest is now in grade seven, while the youngest is six.  

Together with Jonathan is fellow fisherfolk Marlouie, 33 years old, who is married and has four children. His eldest child is in grade five, while the youngest is four.  

“Malipay nami bisag ginagmay nga tabang, labina og tubig, para naami magamit pang inum og pang lung-ag,” the two fisher men say to ECLIPSE and Oxfam Pilipinas Emergency Response Team.

(We are happy with the assistance, especially water. We now have drinking water and we can also use it to cook rice.) 

Impact to livelihood  

As Barangay Ichon is geographically near the coastal area, fishing is one of the main livelihoods of the community. Marlouie owns a motorboat which enables him to bring home all the fish that he catches, while Jonathan only rents a fishing vessel wherein he can only take home a 60/40 sharing of whatever he sees from a whole night of fishing.    

The situation has worsened for them now that their motorboats were destroyed, while the few boats left in their community are not serviceable. Both Jonathan and Marlouie shared that it would take some time for the fisherfolks in their small village to recover fully.  

Fishing has become a non-reliable livelihood since the pandemic and the recent typhoon. Previously, they said that a good catch would depend on fair weather and gets better during the open seasons in April to May. They are further challenged by statutes governing municipal waters as they cannot go fishing in the next municipality because there is also another fisherfolk group.     

Coconut farming is also not an option as it has been severely damaged as well.  

“Mangahoy na lamang mi ug para isugnod aron ika baligya,” say Jonathan and Marlouie. 

(We will collect firewood for fuel and for selling.) 

But despite this, their prayer remains the same, and that is to be able to repair their boats, hoping that government agencies will notice them soon. In the meantime, they will look for other means to earn, like working in construction, where they are usually earn P300.00 (USD 5) per day.   

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