Operation Tulong Samar - Progress Report as of March 17 2014

Date: March 17, 2014

As of March 5, 2014 – March 17, 2014, we were able to make and store 6,996 pieces of hollow blocks (6,837 pieces of 6x16 and 159 pieces of 4x16) and slice 750 slabs of coco lumber  (271 pieces of 2x2; 273 pieces of 2x3; 206 pieces of 2x6). The clearing of the site still continues same thing with the hollow block making.

 

The workers were divided into following groups:

1.       Clearing Site – those who are in charge with the cleaning, burning and clearing the coconut trees in the construction site. It also includes those who cook for the food of the workers;

2.       Hollow Block Site – those who are in charge in hollow block making;

3.       Transport Site – those who are in charge for the transportation of cement, sand, and other materials from the port of Brgy. Bobon to the port of Brgy. Butig.

For this span of time, we were able to encounter series of problems and difficulties. 

1.       There were times that we were able to stop the work because there was no delivery of sand. We do not have our own truck for transporting the materials especially the sand and we just simply depend on the availability of the truck of one producing us the sand. If the truck is not available, there is no delivery of the sand which means, there is no work. For the meantime, we are waiting for the arrival of the truck bought from Manila. It would be a great help for the continuing transport of materials.

2.       Until now, Brgy. Butig still do not have Electricity and we completely depend on the Generator which is so costly because the price of the Gasoline here is so high. From time to time, we go to Guiuan to buy Gasoline for the Generator which is used for making the hollow blocks, welding, and other construction. We also set a period of time to open the Generator for the people – to have free charging of their cell phones, flashlights, and other gadgets. Lately, the weather condition is not good. It was always raining and the wind is so strong. In times like this, we do not have any choice but to stop the work. If this will continue, it will cause delay to the construction.

We have two Masses in a week – every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning. We are also conducting Catechism and Art activities. Every Sunday, we have the Oratorio. We are preparing games for the children and some youth plainly for friendship and fun. These activities are of big help for the people here in order to keep their moral and faith alive. This is also our way of debriefing them since when typhoon Yolanda strike, nobody is conducting debriefing for them which is so important to keep them sane and to overcome the trauma, stress, and fear they experienced during the devastating calamity.