AN URGENT APPEAL FOR SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF LANDSLIDE DISASTER IN SOUTHERN LEYTE, PHILIPPINES
20 February 2006
We, the undersigned progressive Filipino organizations in Greater Toronto Area, express our deepest sorrow at the death of many people who were buried under a sea of mud before noon last Friday in the village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte province.
The deadly combination of mud, boulders and logs that cascaded very swiftly down the mountain wiped off the entire farming village of Guinsaugon, covering an area of nine square kilometers (3.5 square miles) and one of the 30 villages of St. Bernard. Once a vibrant rustic place, the village is now virtually erased from the map of the province, which is located at the eastern part of the Philippines.
We strongly believe that environmental destruction caused by massive commercial logging operations that date back to the 1970s heavily contributed to this latest devastating landslide. Deforestation, the conversion of forest land to agricultural, logging and mining use, systematically creates an unstable ground vulnerable to soil erosion, inundation, landslides and mudslides. With this as the backdrop and the fact that Southern Leyte is geographically located at the edge of the very unstable undersea Philippine Trench, the landslide in Guinsaugon is really a tragedy waiting to happen.
As of Sunday afternoon (local time), the gloomy number of deaths has reached 62, but over a thousand people are still trapped and feared dead under the rubble in an estimated 30-meter deep mud. Among these are over 200 elementary schoolchildren and their 40 teachers.
The team of various rescuers is still hoping to find survivors, but the rescue operations have been slowed-down due to bad weather conditions. Also, thousands of residents of nearby villages have been evacuated in the fear of another landslide due to continuous pouring of heavy rains for the past two weeks.
Survivors and people who are heavily affected by this catastrophe have been in a state of shock. They have lost their loved ones including their farms, all personal belongings and economic possessions. Nothing is left to them. The people in the area urgently need food, medicine, clothing and temporary shelter.
Thus, we appeal to all kindhearted individuals, especially our compatriots, to support us in this humanitarian endeavor. Donations in kind or in cash are welcome. Our organization chapters in the Vancouver area are setting up a trust fund to accept donations to be coursed to the disaster area. Donations of $25 or more can also be made to SAPED-PCDI* c/o 451 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1G7 and a tax receipt will be issued. For further information and to donate, please contact Yolyn Valenzuela (SIKLAB-Ontario) or Joy Sioson (PWC) at 416-878-8772.
SIKLAB-Ontario (Advance, Uphold the Rights of Overseas Filipino Workers)
Philippine Women Center of Ontario
UKPC/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance - Toronto Chapter
---------------
*SAPED-PCDI, Shuswap Association for the Promotion of Eco-Development - Philippine Canada Development Initiative is a charitable society in Canada and the Philippines. It was established by Filipinos who have migrated and settled in Canada.
We, the undersigned progressive Filipino organizations in Greater Toronto Area, express our deepest sorrow at the death of many people who were buried under a sea of mud before noon last Friday in the village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte province.
The deadly combination of mud, boulders and logs that cascaded very swiftly down the mountain wiped off the entire farming village of Guinsaugon, covering an area of nine square kilometers (3.5 square miles) and one of the 30 villages of St. Bernard. Once a vibrant rustic place, the village is now virtually erased from the map of the province, which is located at the eastern part of the Philippines.
We strongly believe that environmental destruction caused by massive commercial logging operations that date back to the 1970s heavily contributed to this latest devastating landslide. Deforestation, the conversion of forest land to agricultural, logging and mining use, systematically creates an unstable ground vulnerable to soil erosion, inundation, landslides and mudslides. With this as the backdrop and the fact that Southern Leyte is geographically located at the edge of the very unstable undersea Philippine Trench, the landslide in Guinsaugon is really a tragedy waiting to happen.
As of Sunday afternoon (local time), the gloomy number of deaths has reached 62, but over a thousand people are still trapped and feared dead under the rubble in an estimated 30-meter deep mud. Among these are over 200 elementary schoolchildren and their 40 teachers.
The team of various rescuers is still hoping to find survivors, but the rescue operations have been slowed-down due to bad weather conditions. Also, thousands of residents of nearby villages have been evacuated in the fear of another landslide due to continuous pouring of heavy rains for the past two weeks.
Survivors and people who are heavily affected by this catastrophe have been in a state of shock. They have lost their loved ones including their farms, all personal belongings and economic possessions. Nothing is left to them. The people in the area urgently need food, medicine, clothing and temporary shelter.
Thus, we appeal to all kindhearted individuals, especially our compatriots, to support us in this humanitarian endeavor. Donations in kind or in cash are welcome. Our organization chapters in the Vancouver area are setting up a trust fund to accept donations to be coursed to the disaster area. Donations of $25 or more can also be made to SAPED-PCDI* c/o 451 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1G7 and a tax receipt will be issued. For further information and to donate, please contact Yolyn Valenzuela (SIKLAB-Ontario) or Joy Sioson (PWC) at 416-878-8772.
SIKLAB-Ontario (Advance, Uphold the Rights of Overseas Filipino Workers)
Philippine Women Center of Ontario
UKPC/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance - Toronto Chapter
---------------
*SAPED-PCDI, Shuswap Association for the Promotion of Eco-Development - Philippine Canada Development Initiative is a charitable society in Canada and the Philippines. It was established by Filipinos who have migrated and settled in Canada.
posted by ukpc-toronto @ 1:53 p.m.
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