Basic instinct

Hinurno is the short name for their popular locally baked bread. Its texture is much like that of ‘nutribun’ supplied by the government to public schools back in the day (very early days, like four decades ago) as part of the feeding program. Less sweet than monay, it’s more flavorful, I would say, because of its coconut milk mixture. It is like the staple food in Lawaan, Eastern Samar. Right after Yolanda, local folks started baking their favorite bread delicacy in their crude local brick ovens for their own consumption and some for sale. It became the first sign of their attempt to get back on their feet after the calamity that everyone is hoping against hope, will never visit them again.

Lawaan is among the poorest municipalities of Eastern Samar. It is 40 kilometers from Tacloban but it wasn’t spared from Typhoon Yolanda. The houses there, many of wooden construction, were dismantled and its debris was mixed up in the atmosphere of 300 kph storm winds. Gawad Kalinga (GK) and other private entities made it a point to go to these areas that were less noticed and less heeded.

It is very assuring to channel donated cash to construction of houses or villages. You are quite sure where donated money goes, and it is a permanent help to any family. When we visited the GK village we were helping last February, it was a good opportunity to be part of the sweat equity as well. Thing is, we are not really skilled construction workers. The simple task of rolling paint brush on the walls of the houses seems to be petty but tasking. I must admit that my mind was less on the painting and more on the upcoming boodle lunch feast being prepared for everyone. That was us, trying to do good, feel good and have fun from the experience.

Not similarly situated are the beneficiaries of these houses, located on stable land donated by the local government. The beneficiaries were supposed to put in sweat equity, which means they help build their own houses. When our team went back recently for the turnover of the houses, we learned of the reluctance by some to work on their own houses because they needed more time to be breadwinners. Building their own house will not feed them. Some beneficiaries, on the other hand, were really appreciative that with a concrete house, their children can sleep soundly without the fear that the next strong storm will blow their shelter away.

During the turnover, our team felt that some did not communicate an energy of exhilaration but rather tentativeness to accept. The fact is they were hoping to receive instead the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) promised by the national government. In a news report, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released P2.5 billion of ESA funds to Western Visayas. Eastern Visayas, where Lawaan is located, is still waiting. ESA provides cash assistance of P30,000 and P10,000 to families whose houses were partially or totally damaged, respectively.

You see, if they accept a house from GK, they no longer qualify to receive ESA, which is meant for building their houses. If they receive the ESA, it is logical that priority will be given by GK to those who do not have the means to repair or build their shelters. The government and GK’s position is meritorious because resources are not limitless. Obviously, for those who hesitate, cash is their preference.

You almost cannot help but prejudge people’s inclination for dole out. After all, politicians make sure they leverage on this weakness, whether they are campaigning or are already in power. Politicians recognize such culture and some of them make this is part and parcel of their strategy on how to govern and get reelected. But back to the turnover of houses in Lawaan — why would some prefer cash that’s much less in value than a house?

The answer is, with cash, they can choose to spend a meager amount to improve their shelter somewhat, even temporarily, and the difference they can spend on other basic needs. Cash is still king. Not the bayanihan spirit, not volunteerism. It has proven generally difficult for mortals to help others while their stomachs growl, when they could barely afford to buy even the 5-peso hinurno for their children. The problem with cash gifts from well-meaning donors is that the latter normally worry about how cash will be handled, or used, or used by whom.

People can be taught livelihood but without the seed money, it is like showing them just a picture of a chicken for a chicken dinner.

Copra, one of Lawaan’s main industries, is one of the direct casualties of Yolanda. It will take, we were told, six to seven years to grow new coconut trees. On the other hand, there is an example of a simple and viable backyard industry that can only take as little as six months to turn into cash. It is pig farming. Talking to ordinary folks who have had actual experience raising pigs, an inahin or the mother can deliver piglets after 115 days from impregnation and its offspring can number from five to as much as 14. They can be sold as early as 45 days after or grown for four to five months. This needs capital to purchase the mother (about P6,000 to P10,000) and feeds (about P2,500) until the mother gives birth. This industry can also supply the demand of pigs in the growing lechon industry of Tacloban.

There are industries other than hog raising. It can even be bakeries of hinurno for “domestic export” to the Luzon market.

In addition to helping them with shelter, donors, I believe, will be happy to help with seed money if a credible NGO like GK will have a strong program for adopting families by way of giving grants for livelihood.

Give them a grant for shelter or not, help them in livelihood or not, people find ways to survive as it is in any living being’s nature to do so. Between urgent donations from around the world and slow release of donated funds for the victims; between relief goods left to rot in the warehouse and time wasted on deciding how to take credit; between extreme urgency and the irrelevant question of what political dynasty can be benefitted lies, for many of our fellow Filipinos, the difference between merely surviving and having quality of life. With a bit more than just for food, their children can go to school and one day, the cycle can be broken. We can choose to help or we can watch them survive on their instincts. No one is entitled, but many are obligated.