11 November 2014 – The Philippines and Canada marked the first year anniversary when Super Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines, in commemorative ceremonies on November 08 at the Our Lady of Assumption Church in Toronto.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia and Finance Minister Joseph Oliver, together with Senator Tobias Enverga and Member of Parliament Patrick Brown led members of the Filipino-Canadian community in commemoration.
Minister Oliver also announced, on behalf of Development Minister Christian Paradis, the Typhoon Haiyan Reconstruction Assistance Call for Proposals. This call for proposals, valued at up to CAD 20.6 million over a period of four years, is designed to help restore the livelihoods of people in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. It forms part of the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund through which the Government of Canada matched the CAD 85 million in eligible donations made by individual Canadians.
“On this one-year anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, we pay tribute to the resilience of the people in the Philippines affected by the storm, the work of our partners and the generosity of Canadians,’’ said Minister Oliver. “Our relationship with the Philippines and the Filipino-Canadian community is long and strong, and we will continue our support to help build a better future for the people of that country.”
For her part, Ambassador Garcia indicated that typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan “changed the way Filipinos now see each other, and how we respond to calamities. It also changed the way we see how the world sees us. We have been touched by the generosity of Canadians, and we are forever grateful. On this week of remembrance, one year ago today, we will do as much to remember that Canada demonstrated how it can be a true friend.”
Canada was among the first responders from the international community in mobilizing its resources when the typhoon slammed into the Philippines. As the storm made landfall, Canada was already putting in place a rapid, whole-of-government response working closely with the Filipino-Canadian community, humanitarian partners and the Government of the Philippines.
Canada established the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Matching Fund, through which eligible donations by individual Canadians were matched by the Government of Canada. The relief funds from Canada were channelled through various Canadian non-government organizations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society and United Nations Relief agencies. Canada also sent relief supplies such as tents, blankets, water purification tablets, shelter kits, and other essential items from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s emergency stockpile. Canada also deployed the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to support relief efforts by providing clean water, medical assistance and logistical support, including addressing pressing needs on Panay Island.
Last month, President Benigno Aquino III signed the Php 167.9 billion (CAD 4.2 billion) Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) which aims to “build back better” across resettlement, infrastructure, livelihood, and social services. The CRRP defines four operative sectors – resettlement, Php 75.6 billion; infrastructure, Php 35.1 billion; livelihood, Php 33.6 billion; and social services, Php 26.4 billion. It includes a Php 98-billion fund for Tacloban City, Cebu, Iloilo, Eastern Samar, and Leyte previously approved by the President.
The implementation of the master plan is in the hands of various government agencies, notably the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the various local governments. It is being coordinated by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR). The effort is expected to take more than two years to complete. END