Distribution at Ormoc and Baybay on Leyte

Our morning started very early today with a 3:15am wake-up call and 4am departure from the hotel. Nanette and Kristine Carino took Jonathan, Jack and me to the dock where we caught the fast-craft going to Ormoc City on Leyte. It departed at 5am. The trip was about 3 hours in length with the roughest seas I have ever experienced. It pitched and rolled the entire way with no smoother water for the entire trip. Many got sick, but the three of us were okay.

When we arrived Ormoc, some changes were obvious while many other things looked virtually unchanged from the last time I was here — about one week after Typhoon Yolanda. There was electricity at the port and throughout the downtown area. Some clean-up was under way and we could see the starts of

some repair work. However, the bulk of the city still looked devastated. The port area still had no covering on any of the docks. The market area and bus terminal still had no roofs. Some places were clearing debris to roadside piles while individual Filipinos were coming to carry off and use what others were throwing away.

Our drive for the day took us both north, south and east of the city. The further south we went towards Baybay, the less damage we saw. In Baybay itself, the damage was fairly light to moderate comparatively. Outside of Baybay in several seaside villages, the damage was much more, but not as great as from Ormoc. Going north and northeast (towards Tacloban) the damage was much more severe than in Ormoc City itself. By the time we got towards San Vicente, totally demolished homes were very common if not the norm. The vast majority of the trees in the region were either blown down or badly damaged. However, it was interesting to me that in the very most devastated areas in rural areas going towards San Vicente, the rice fields were either already replanted or in the process of replanting. The farming areas definitely showed the most evidence of restoration. 

My policy has always been to give a truthful report of what has happened — whether good or bad. That is what I will do in this case, though I must report some things that are not good. It is a fact that things happen which should not among the people of God — both in the Philippines and in the U.S. When difficult things have to be reported, I do so not meaning to make a decision for anyone else, but merely to inform accurately as best as I can. I want to make it clear that I am leaving it with other brethren to act as they decide for themselves. This report is given in order of the places visited during the day. It begins with the negative experience, so please keep reading to get an accurate account of the full day. It is my experience and belief that the latter part of the day more accurately depicts the bulk of action by our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.

The first congregation visited was the Baybay church of Christ. In years past, two congregations met outside of Baybay that now have “merged” with this group meeting in the city. Albert Vivero previously preached for the congregation, but now his son-in-law, Cirilo Sumabal, preaches there. I had received requests from brethren in the U.S. to look into reports coming from this location, so I did that with no preconceived ideas as to the true facts. First, when we went to Leyte about one week after Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, faithful brethren reported there were 11 families in the congregation and a total of 33 saints meeting regularly there. We delivered an amount of 5000 pesos per family and an additional 500 per baptized believer in each family to provide for immediate needs of survival. After leaving, others delivering benevolence reported that the number of members was claimed at 80-100 people. When we arrived today, we were presented with a list claiming 46 families and over 100 (my understanding was 117 was the initial number given for members). When I pressed as to the weekly attendance, the preacher and his wife gave no direct answer to my question. Later, the wife began to do almost all of the talking and said there were 60-63 in attendance weekly, but continued to insist there were 46 families. It is obvious that if there are 46 faithful families, there would have to be less than 2 people per family in attendance — a situation far from any I have ever seen in the Philippines. I then pressed the preacher to explain the discrepancy and he gave no direct answer. Second, I was asked to verify a claim that brother Vivero’s house (which is affixed to the building) was “destroyed” in the typhoon. I found it to be without apparent damage and with no signs of any significant recent repair. There were also photographs taken of the house just after the typhoon which were much different than photographs taken on a more recent visit where damaged items had obviously been put over the actual structure. My conclusion was that I did not believe the claims made and I told the preacher and his wife that is what I would report. However, there were obvious cases of great need — especially with damage to houses of those living outside the city. We left an amount to help with that need and did not make a general distribution of benevolence there.

The next place we visited was the meeting place of the Candadam church of Christ where Juanito Esquadra preaches. Members of two other congregations where brother Juanito preaches also came to that place so that we could distribute to them at the same time. The need of brethren in these 3 groups was far greater. The predominate means of livelihood there was through fishing. The typhoon and its after effects have devastated the fishing. Due to widespread reports of the pollution that remains after the storm, any catch could not be sold at market. We distributed a much greater amount to these groups based upon the needs presented.

After eating a granola bar and some fruit in the van while Jonathan and Jack went to eat at the street vendor places, we proceeded on to San Vicente. (My past experience with such vendors have fully convinced me that my granola bar, fruit and gatorade are to be preferred to the inevitable hospital trip which accompanies the other fare.) Since Willie not only preaches at San Vicente, but also for the Linao congregation meeting in Ormoc City, we addressed the needs of both congregations. Previous distributions had met the needs for food, but the housing remained a critical problem. Many brethren were still living in makeshift lean-tos made of scraps that could be found. With the rains and storms common in this region, there is a critical need to start addressing this need. Of the 24 families meeting at San Vicente, the homes of 18 families were completely destroyed while the remaining 6 all had significant damage. We gave an amount to get shelter started for the 18 families whose homes were totally destroyed. After the frame is built, we have an amount to be used towards basic roofs and enclosures necessary to survive. The exact needs for repairing the homes damaged was not available, so I requested Willie to get that to us by Sunday. This would allow us to see if funds remained to help with that effort. The same process was started for the 20 families of the Linao congregation where 10 houses were totally destroyed and 10 others significantly damaged. Though I doubt we will have enough funds to fully complete all of this need, I think the funds given should make a very large difference in helping to provide the basic essentials.

At 5pm, we caught the fast-craft for the trip back to Cebu City. The trip took about 2 hours. The seas were much less rough for the first half with only the normal amount of rocking and rolling. The fact that I was able to write much of this report on that part of the voyage evidenced a great difference as that would have been impossible on this morning’s passage. The last half was again extremely rough.

Let me also convey the deep gratitude of our Filipino brethren who received the great help given by your generosity. The love and concern it manifested to them was evident in their words and expressions. They were deeply appreciative! Thank you all so much for your great generosity in this benevolent effort.