Absence of info on families agonizing for those in NMI

NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory – Typhoon warnings are in effects for parts of Palau and Yap as Super Typhoon Haiyan moves west towards the Philippines with maximum sustained winds around 160 mph. The Suomi NPP satellite passed over the storm at 02:25 UTC on November 6, 2013, capturing this image with the VIIRS instrument. The storm is expected to intensify slightly before it makes initial landfall on Friday, November the 8th. After passing over the Philippines, Haiyan is then expected to continue heading west towards Vietnam. (From Wikimedia Commons)

Visayas-born residents of Saipan closely monitored cable TV news, the Internet, and social media for updates on their families in the wake of the devastation brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) but the lack of information has only compounded their fears and worries.

The supertyphoon knocked out all communication systems in the region and, except for satellite phones brought by rescue and media groups, there is currently no telephones, cell phone access, or Internet in the region.

Saipan Tribune editor Jayvee Vallejera, who is from Palo, Leyte, and a stone’s throw away from where Gen. Douglas McArthur waded ashore to fulfill his “I shall return” promise at the end of World War II, said the last few days have been equal parts frustration and agony sprinkled with some relief.

“I haven’t been able to contact my family members in Palo and Tacloban. The last time I had any contact with my sister was when she gave a Facebook update around 4am on Friday. Since then, nothing,” he said.

Ulysses Sabuco, Taro Leaf Inc. media relations specialist and former Marianas Variety reporter, said the hardest part of the tragedy is not knowing what happened to his loved ones.

“The waiting has been endless on my and my siblings’ part. This is the longest three days for me and my family, being isolated from each other. I am just hoping for the best. I am just sincerely humbled by everyone’s prayers and support.”

Mirasol Dayao, finance manager for Saipan Tribune, said she still can’t get over the “unimaginable destruction” Yolanda’s wrath brought to her hometown while watching CNN and other news outlets.

She, however, got a bit of good news after a friend tagged a Rappler video to her Facebook account showing one of her uncles riding a motorcycle from the Tacloban airport.

Dayao said another aunt seems to be all right because a friend told her that their store near downtown Tacloban is now distributing food items and other essentials to church mates, relatives, and friends in dire need of supplies.

Commonwealth Health Center nurse and author Rizza Ramos shared Dayao’s concern after watching the news on TV and shared her concern for loved ones and friends back home.

“It’s horrifying just watching the news, so what more if you experience it yourself. The Philippines always experience these kinds of calamities but this time it’s the strongest supertyphoon. For sure there will be a lot of damage but we are hoping and praying not much casualties. Properties and other things can be recovered sooner or later but once life is gone, then that’s it, there’s nothing we can do. Let’s all pray for our country and once again extend all the help that we can give to them.”

Ramos hails from the town of Cabucgayan, a three-hour and 35-minute bus ride to Tacloban City.

Vallejera said the hard part is the lack of information about what has happened to his family.

“The sporadic updates about what’s happening on the ground have been extremely frustrating. I don’t want to blame anyone because the extent of the disaster goes beyond any known indices. However, it would greatly help all of us who are trying to get word about our loved ones to have a single place to go to find news about our families. What we’ve been doing is trolling the Internet for bits and pieces of news and this has only added to the paralyzing fear we have about what has happened to our families,” he said.

Sabuco said the Philippine government could’ve done a better job of informing people about the storm surge, which is being blamed for the massive loss of life, with some reports saying that casualties could run as high as 10,000 just for the province of Leyte alone.

“The government has had enough time to prepare the residents, including shelter/relocating everyone in a safe place. There are processes/system put in place as to what to do in case of disasters and emergencies—including Supertyphoon Yolanda. We were all warned,” said Sabuco. “It was the ferocious water surge coupled by the strength of the wind and massive rain that were not expected. I think the government is working earnestly in providing immediate assistance and aid. They just did not expect of the overwhelming toll it has brought on to the city and its residents.”

United Filipino Organization president Annamae Adaza said the umbrella organization of Filipino groups on Saipan will be once again initiating a fund drive to help victims of the typhoon in Leyte and neighboring provinces.

This comes on the heels of UFO raising more than $5,000 for relief efforts for the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu provinces in the Philippines only on Oct. 15.

The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, meanwhile, said those interested in helping victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda can send their monetary donations to National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Philippine Red Cross.

Consul Edgar Thomas Q. Auxillian said monetary donations are the most flexible and would be appreciated.

“I want to thank Filipinos in the Marianas for helping after the earthquake and now for the help they will again be extending after this latest super typhoon. We encourage monetary donation because it’s the easiest.”

Auxillian also confirmed that the Filipino community in Guam as well as Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo have approached the Consulate General and offered their assistance.