LCDE Press Release on the EnCap2 Project

DKH EnCap2 Continues amidst COVID-19

LCDE in partnership with Citizens' Disaster Response Center and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe continue to implement the EnCap2 project in the region of Leyte in the Philippines despite of the on-going COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines and steadily rising cases in the region. During the onset of COVID-19 LCDE was able to carry out activities under the project even with the quarantine measures of the region in effect through close coordination with Local Government Units (LGU) and observance of public health protocols.

Throughout the months after the start of the quarantine LCDE was able to lay the groundwork in-order for the EnCap2 to proceed in several communities of Palo and Jaro in Leyte. LCDE staff visited both LGUs of these municipalities to inform them on the details of the project and encourage support on their end, which was met with a positive response. Project staff also underwent relevant trainings which will help them be more effective in the implementation of the EnCap2.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic presents a great challenge for the EnCap2 project, LCDE believes this project has become even more important in these times. The need for preparedness at the community level has become evident because of COVID-19 because of the strain it is causing to many government departments making it difficult for aid to arrive in a timely manner. The EnCap can help these communities achieve a measure of resiliency against disasters, especially since typhoon season in the country is fast approaching and may worsen the situation the people are in due to the pandemic.

Currently LCDE is coordinating with LGU’s and local government agencies to continue the EnCap2 project in Palo and Jaro.

The EnCap2 (Enhancing Capacities in Disaster Risk Reduction Management for More Resilient Peoples and Communities) is the second phase of a project supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) from 2016 which aims to increase the preparedness of its local partners for possible calamities, involve the community in disaster mitigation and preparedness, and advocate DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction Management) policies through working with LGU’s (Local Government Units) and the private sector.

LCDE Press Release July 2020

Serving in the first 6 months January - June of 2020 Amidst the COVID 19 Pandemic

LCDe Leyte Center for Development, a local NGO serving poor and vulnerable communities in Samar and Leyte since 1988, would like to share our achievements in the first 6 months of 2020.

From January 2020, LCDe has served 6,162 families/ 36,972 individuals, from 22 barangays in 9 municipalities from 4 provinces of North Samar, East Samar, Samar and Leyte. The aid was in the form of cash, rice and canned food. Total support if converted into cash was Php 11,990,515.00, covering responses to Typhoons Tisoy, Ursula, Ambo and COVID 19.

Specifically, 1,901 poor families who survived Typhoon Tisoy were given Php 5,000.00 each family amounting to a total of Php 9,505,000.00. These beneficiary families were from the Northern Samar towns of Palapag, Mapanas, Lapinig and Gamay.

All the beneficiaries expressed the timeliness and huge help of the aforementioned cash, rice, canned food, as they were already poor even long before these calamities affected them.

Furthermore, through CARE Philippines, LCDe was able to grant Personal Protective Equipment PPE to 200 health frontliners in Palapag and Mapanas municipalities of Northern Samar. The PPE’s were comprised of the following: face shield, face mask, gloves, protective suit. 2,244 families were also granted the following: 2 water jugs, 4 laundry bars, 4 bath soaps, 183 sachets of water purifiers. These were all part of LCDe’s COVID 19 response in communities of Northern Samar.

The Local Government units headed by the Municipal Mayors were all very supportive throughout the months of LCDe’s program implementation and humanitarian response. Each MDRRMO Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office were all out in helping LCDe achieve its goals to serve the poorest and most vulnerable.

LCDe would like to thank our main donor and partner, CARE Philippines, as well as our other partners CDRC Citizens Disaster Response Center, World Jewish Relief, Mercy Relief, Global Giving.

LCDE and CARE Begin INCREASE Project Orientations

LCDE and CARE Philippines conducted multiple project orientations in Barangays Nipa, Bagacay and Capacujan in the town of Palapag, Northern Samar throughout the 2nd week of January 2020. This is to prepare the communities for the upcoming INCREASE project that will help them recover from damages caused by Typhoon "Ursula". 

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LCDE Typhoon "Ursula" Response in Eastern Samar

LCDe served 240 families affected by Typhoon "Ursula" in Barangay, Palanas, Salcedo, Eastern Samar on Jan. 14, 2020. They received relief items composed of rice, sardines and mung beans.

However, thousands of families in the town of Salcedo and other municipalities have not yet received aid and they are in dire need of food and livelihood assistance.

These families lost much of their homes, a motorized boat with fishing gear and farm implements, which they heavily rely on, during the typhoon.

Thank you to World Jewish Relief and Citizen Disaster Response Center for the support.

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Typhoon "Ursula" Damages LCDE Office

December 25, 2019 7:30 A.M., the LCDE office in Barangay Libertad, Palo, Leyte after Typhoon "Ursula". The office including the surrounding communities suffered significant structural damages due to strong winds.

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LCDE and CARE's Typhoon "Tisoy" Response in Samar

Making an effort to be first on the ground! LCDe through its donor CARE Philippines, distributed rice to 358 families from 2 upland communities of Mapanas, North Samar. These areas were hard hit by Typhoon Tisoy last December 2, 2019. The LCDe team conducted rapid damage needs assessment and hurdled the challenges like difficult roads. People from the affected barrios expressed their appreciation as no other private organization has ever gone this far to help them. LCDe is grateful for the support of the Municipal Government of Mapanas, North Samar. 

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LCDE Participates in VSU Conference

Dec. 13, 2018, LCDe staff participates in a National Conference on Climate Change and Renewable Energy at the VSU Visayas State University Convention Center in Baybay, Leyte. 

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LCDE Distributes Rice in Eastern Samar

March 9-10, 2018, LCDe launched a successful rice distribution in 3 far-flung barrios of Can-avid, Eastern Samar who were affected by Typhoon "Urduja". The mission served at least 300 poor peasant families. Salamat Diakonie, CDRC and the local government units.

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LCDE Distributes School Supplies to 300 Children

July 20, 2017, LCDe granted school bags and supplies to at least 300 elementary school children in Yolanda affected communities. This was made possible through partnership with the Intercontinental Hotel Group Foundation (IHG).

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LCDE Participates in RDRRMC Meeting

July 4, 2017, LCDe participates in the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 2nd Quarter Meeting CY 2017 headed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) held at NEDA Regional Office.

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LCDE Joins CARE's Recognition Program

Dec. 1, 2016, LCDe Joined the recognition day for those associations granted livelihood assistance for their business by CARE International. Different associations from Leyte and Samar participated in the event at Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City.

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LCDE Joins CARE's EPP Workshop

CARE- International initiated EPP Emergency Preparedness Planning workshop. Philippine NGO partners participate including LCDe Represented by Minet Jerusalem seated (fourth from left) on January 20-21, 2016 at HIVE Hotel, Quezon City.

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LCDE Receives Accolades

Regional Development Council - 8 and the Philippine National Volunteer Coordinating Agency grants award for Outstanding Volunteer Organization to LCDe Leyte Center for Development and Most Outstanding Individual to Jazmin Aguisanda Jerusalem last June 2015. From Left to Right NEDA Regional Director Atty. Bonifacio Uy, Leyte Governor Dominique Petilla, Jazmin A. Jerusalem and Samar Governor Sharie Ann Tan.

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Relief Operation in Borongan, Eastern Samar

January 22-24, 2015 Relief Delivery Operation in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

LCDE, was able to serve at least 830 families from 5 barangays in Soribao river. This relief mission was supported by our donor the American-Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

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Relief Operation in Calbiga, Samar

 

January 26, 2015 - Relief Delivery Operation in Calbiga, Samar LCDE, CDRC supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) and it's donor CARITAS Germany were able to send relief aid to several interior communities in Calbiga affected by Typhoon Ruby.

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Hope Bridge's Bintulan Project May 28, 2014

“BUILDING BRIDGES TO RECOVERY”

BINTULAN

Six months after Typhoon Yolanda struck Leyte and Samar, there still remains a need for extensive livelihood support throughout the region. LCDE (Leyte Center for Development) and CDRC (Citizens Disaster Respons Center) through Hope Bridge – Korea began livelihood projects across five project areas in Marabut, Samar as early as February, one of this projects was the construction of a Bintulan “fish trap” for the benefit of Brgy. Tag-alag, a community heavily damaged by the typhoon.

On May 28, 2014, a short program was held in Brgy. San Roque for the Bintulan’s turnover to the communities’ beneficiaries attended by LCDE’s Executive Director Ms. Jazmin Jerusalem and Ms. Edna Luna from CDRC and LCDE staff involved in the project.

The Bintulan is a large fish trap that is installed offshore with a depth ranging from 15 to 20 meters. Materials used are coconut lumber, bamboo, nets and nylon cords. Catching fish with the bitulan is usually done at night and early dawn as fishermen use kerosene lamps to attract fish and trap them inside. 

The principal goal of this project is to answer Brgy. Tag-Alag’s lack of sources of food from the sea due to its high price in the local market. Non-members of the organization will also benefit from the low price of catch the bintulan will offer.

Tag-Alag’s organization has a policy which encourages all members to participate on operations of the Bintulan, profit from a days catch is divided among the four people who manned the bintulan. This project was made possible due to the strong presence of it organization, where almost everyone in the community are members.

By Reniel Sanica, LCDE Regional Administrative Officer

Translation - Carlo Jerusalem, LCDE Advocacy Coordinator

LCDE 2014 Summer Youth Camp

LCDE, 2014 SUMMER YOUTH CAMP

SILAGO, SOUTHERN LEYTE – From May 14-18, 2014 LCDE held a Summer Youth Camp in Silago which aims to raise the awareness of participants on PLAN and LCDE’s project through the activities’ theme of “Setting Direction for Development”. Participants were youth from LCDE’s project areas in Silago aged 12 to 22. PLAN Philippines and LCDE have been partners since 2012 implementing their project entitled “Adaptation to Climate Change by Strengthening Natural Resilience” funded and supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The Youth Camp began with post typhoon updates and was followed with activities such as plays, community broadcast workshops, song writing, poetry, and visual arts, where participants were given the choice of events to take part in. All these were aimed to increase the awareness and capacity of youth to actively participate in being advocates for climate change by developing various technical and organizational skills which lasted for five (5) days.

Participants were very grateful as not all of them are always given the opportunity to engage in skill building activities. LCDE also provided expert facilitators from DAWATAN Northern Samar Arts Council, Inc for theatrical activities, Young Heart PLAN for videography, photography and song writing; and FARDEC a known NGO based in Cebu that implements Food Security programs. 

LCDE and CARE completes initial cash distributions for Yolanda victims in Basey, Samar

LCDE and CARE completes initial cash distributions for Yolanda victims in Basey, Samar

By Carlo Jerusalem

LCDE Advocacy Officer

Leyte Center for Development (LCDE), a disaster response and mitigation NGO; and CARE International, a humanitarian NGO, began the first phase of their livelihood program for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda as early as March which was composed of cash grants to selected beneficiaries in multiple barangays in Basey, Samar. The cash grant is part of CARE and LCDE’s span of activities which aims to help beneficiaries recover or start new livelihoods which includes trainings in order to increase the resilience of the community and its livelihoods against natural and man-made disasters.

LCDE has a project team leader and several field staff in place which implements and ensures CARE’s livelihood program is going as intended, alongside close coordination with CARE personnel. Much of the success of the opening programs phase is also due to established PO (Peasant Organization) in the project area which assisted in some aspects of the project. Beneficiaries were selected based on a criteria developed by CARE, to guarantee that the cash grant is given to qualified members of the community. Each beneficiary will receive 3,000.00 Php to be used in expenditures concerning their livelihoods. 

The first cash distribution began on March 14, 2014 in Barangay Mabini with Cluster one (1) composed of Barangay Mabini, Sitios Bagti, Biga, Burabod, Binugho and Barangay Manlilinab, the second distribution was held on May 6, 2014 in Sitio Can-umran with Cluster two (2) composed of Sitios Guinpongduan, Rizal, Can-umran, Rono, and Cambabang; Cluster three (3) which is composed of Barangays Cancaiyas, Cogon and Sitio Lanaga received cash grants on May 8, 2014 in Barangay Cogon. Cluster four (4) composed of Barangay Villa Aurora, Sitio Lubang and Macaranas received their cash on May 19, 2014, thus ending the first phase of the livelihood program.

Project areas of LCDE and CARE in Basey suffered immense damage to their livelihoods due to Typhoon Yolanda, especially since much of the communities’ main sources of livelihoods are agriculturally based. Almost all the beneficiaries were unable to restart their respective livelihoods before the advent of CARE’s cash grant, which is a sign of the Philippine government’s inability to respond to the needs of its citizens during severe natural calamities. Although there are visible indications of the government stepping up their efforts, most of the recovery and rehabilitation in affected areas are still mostly handled by local and international NGO’s.

April 25, 2014 Hope Bridge Turnover Ceremony

Hope Bridge Project Turnover in Marabut, Samar

Ceremony venue in Barangay San Roque

MARABUT, SAMAR – On April 25, 2014 representatives from Hope Bridge – Korea held a turnover ceremony for their project through LCDE (Leyte Center for Development) and CDRC (Citizens Disaster Response Center) in a seaside venue close to Barangay San Roque. Thirty (30) motorboats, complete with engines, and fishing nets, for crabs and fish, were each given to each of the fisher-folk beneficiaries; farm tools were also dispersed to Hope Bridge’s target barangays in Marabut which are Caluwayan, San Roque, Viloso, Legaspi and Tagalag. Various school supplies and t-shirts (bearing inspiring prints) were also distributed to 500 children of Marabut. Present in the occasion were Hope Bridge’s Director, staff and a film crew which arrived a day before, CDRC and LCDE’s Directors and staff were also onsite and were part of the preparations for the event. 

Aside from the formal turnover, a program was also held which lasted all throughout the day which started in the morning with the blessing of the boats by a local priest, then followed by messages from Hope Bridges Board Director Dr. Su-yun Chae, CDRC’s Executive director Ms. Suyin Jamoralin and Marabut’s Mayor Percival Ortillo; two beneficiaries each representing the fishing and farming sector also extended their thanks. 

Beneficiairy with Hope Bridge's Director Dr. Su-yun and CDRC's Ms. Jamoralin

One of the programs highlights was a presentation by a charming group of children who sang “We are the World” and lit up the whole crowd with cheers and smiles. After the presentation the turnover ceremony began in earnest, where a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the beneficiaries and LCDE detailing the rules and obligations that have to be fulfilled in order to be granted the assistance the project provides. After signing, beneficiaries received their motorboats and fishing nets on the shoreline followed by closing remarks by LCDE’s Executive director Ms. Jazmin Jerusalem, thus ending the formal portion of the ceremony by mid-afternoon. What came next were social activities for both the project staff (Hope Bridge, LCDE and CDRC) and beneficiaries alike, which included games and dancing. 

Beneficiary with his newly acquired motorboat.

Overall the project achieved all that Hope Bridge, LCDE, and CDRC were looking forward to, which is to provide aid to target communities in Marabut and alleviate the lack of comprehensive livelihood support in the area, although the project cannot possibly cover the whole of Marabut, Samar LCDE hopes that this can serve as call to other NGO’s and especially the National government to make concrete steps towards helping Marabut get back up on its feet, this call also goes out for all the other devastated communities in Eastern Visayas which have yet to receive proper aid and support. 

By: Carlo A. Jerusalem

LCDE Advocacy Officer

Peace Winds – Japan, through LCDE and CDRC provide homes for Typhoon Haiyan’s victims in Carigara, Leyte

Peace Winds – Japan, through LCDE and CDRC provide homes for Typhoon Haiyan’s victims in Carigara, Leyte 

February 18, 2014 distribution of shelter materials.

CARIGARA, LEYTE – LCDE (Leyte Centre for Developent) a disaster response and mitigation NGO along with its national partner CDRC (Citizens Disaster Response Centre) have joined Peace Winds – Japan, an NGO that operates across the world providing humanitarian aid, to help in their efforts to give homes to the people of Carigara that were severely stricken by Typhoon Haiyan

The Project

Peace Winds through its local partnership with Leyte Centre for Development and Citizens Disaster Response Centre, are currently implementing shelter assistance projects in 26 barangays in Carigara, Leyte with a total of 690 households that will benefit from it. Beneficiaries chosen were those whose houses were totally damaged and have no capacity to rebuild, assistance for the selection was provided MOFAC (Municipal Farmers Association of Carigara) a local people’s organization. They received from Peace Winds shelter materials consisting of cement, cocolumber (posts), plywood, GI sheets and basic carpentry tools enough to construct a house that will provide them with a decent home. 

LCDE, CDRC and Peace Winds project staff began the program on January 15 laying the groundwork for the project, preparing and selecting target areas in Carigara. On February 18 the first batch of beneficiaries numbering 301 households composed of 5 barangays, received their shelter materials. The second batch which numbers 389 households from 21 barangays are due to receive their shelter materials on March 26. The project will end by May 15, which also will include the complete repair of two Daycare Centers in Carigara.

One of the hoses constructed by beneficiaries nearing completion. (Photo taken on April 7, 2014)

Different Approach

 It should be noted that the nature of Peace Winds’ program will require beneficiaries to construct a house using the materials provided under close guidance by a monitoring team selected by LCDE and CDRC field staff. The monitoring team consists of skilled carpenters and a locally appointed engineer who will be regularly onsite in project areas. Peace Winds, LCDE and CDRC intended the project to be this way to avoid problems and ensure all shelter materials distributed are fully utilized.   

By: Carlo Jerusalem

LCDE Advocacy Officer