The island barangay of Minanod in Llorente, Eastern Samar was one of the places badly hit by super typhoon Haiyan or “Yolanda,” in the year 2013. It is no doubt that the locality is susceptible to storm surge and hurricanes, for Minaanod comes from the root word “awod” which means “to drift.”
But aside from faith, there were things that saved residents from the strong waves during the Yolanda devastation- it was the sea wall constructed through DSWD Kalahi CIDSS and the mangroves the community had planted several years before the super typhoon.
Edito Codoy , a Kalahi volunteer and at the same time president of the Kalahi CIDSS – formed civil society association, the Minaanod Fishermen Association, retold stories about the disastrous event. He recounted that strong waves were causing fear to the residents. But the mangroves and sturdy 200 linear meter Sea Wall implemented under the Kalahi CIDSS Additional Financing (KC-AF), shielded residents from the likely worst impact of storm surge.
“Dako gud an bulig it mangroves ngan sea wall nga natima pala namon na construct before umabot an Yolanda. Asya an nakasalbar ha amon didi. Kun waray ito, diri dama kami maaram kun diin kami pupuruton.[ The mangroves and sea wall which were constructed nearly before Yolanda was a big bout to us during the disaster. It saved us. If there were no mangroves and sea wall, I did not know where we were at that time.]
Unfortunately, the mangroves were strongly devastated following Yolanda. But when the National Community Driven Development Project, a scale up and post-disaster recovery response of Kalahi CIDSS (KC) program came in 2014, the residents learnt from their experience and prioritized planting of mangroves as a KC sub-project worth Php 344 thousand.
Through the Minaanod Fishermen Association, the mangroves have been taken cared of until today. Once a week they inspected the area and as much as it is needed, they have picked up weeds around the mangroves.
According to Codoy, out of 100% planted rhizophora mangle, locally known as ‘bakhaw’, 30% have been successfully growing.
He added, “Hopeful ako na ini nga mangroves matubo ngan makaalalay ha amon pag mayda mga makusog na uran ngan bagyo, ngan makabulig pagmaupay han ecosystem. [I am hopeful that these mangroves will grow and help us [people] protect again from the strong rains and typhoons, and restore the damaged ecosystem.]
Codoy also shared that their association, with the support of the local government unit and the community, is doing its best to preserve the mangroves. Also, the association learned from the Kalahi CIDSS to be accountable of the project, so it is tapping other agencies to fund their Payao construction.
Meanwhile, the Kalahi CIDSS constructed a sea wall worth Php 1 million and still serves the 95 households in the community till today.
Through government support, people are bouncing back better and stronger after Yolanda. The community of Minaanod identified disaster response and mitigation sub-projects thru grey and green strategy, knowing their geographical situation.