EcoSur in the Philippines
An EcoSur expert has been called to look into options for reconstruction in the Cyclone devastated Island of Panay. Arriving three weeks after “Haiyan” (locally they call it Yolanda) swept through the central area of the Philippine archipelago, we saw almost total destruction of the simple bamboo houses of the poor segments of society, but we also experienced a society busily rebuilding.
Field report by Kurt Rhyner
The visit took place as part of the emergency actions of “Solidar”, a Swiss NGO cofinanced by “Swiss Solidarity” and the task was to make proposals for the reconstruction under the theme “Build Back Better”. We travelled to fishing villages where just about everything was demolished, but also into the mountains and it was no better. People have not only lost their dwelling, most fishermen have also lost their boats and the rice paddies of the farmers are also damaged. Vast amounts of trees have fallen, some of them precious woods, but mostly palm trees.
We were surprised to see many flimsy huts with an intact roof, how could that be ? The answer is simple...many families have already put up a provisional shelter with tin roofing sheets that were blown around by the winds or they have woven a piece of organic roof with the leaves they found. A women, proudly sitting in front of her mini-hut was pleased about the sheets she had found, we do not know whether she even had any before the cyclone.
The spirit of the Philippinos is not broken, everywhere they are fixing their house or building a new hut. “Yes, we are used to that... there are Cyclones every year, but not like this one !” explained a fisherman putting a roof on his house.
However, our task will be to build back better. We present a design that combines the local architectural style with high resistance against earthquakes, winds and inundations. It must be a simple, permanent dwelling at a low cost. The support structure should last 50 years, the roof and its cladding should be good for about half that time, the infills in the walls as well as windows and doors should have a lifespan of at least 10 years. With this perspective a family can regenerate from the loss and potentially improve their house step by step, for more than a decade they can concentrate on other issues than repair.
This brings us to propose a cement-based support structure with part of the wall elements made from bamboo on a timber frame, with a CGI covered roof of timber and bamboo. All materials can be locally purchased, some of them are natural products of the area and others will be produced locally. The skills needed are basically existing in the communities, a specific training program for the builders will improve their performance and knowledge.
The proposal is now with Solidar and they are preparing a funding proposal to start action in the first trimester of this year. Meanwhile they are handing out 2,500 emergency shelter kits, basically consisting of 12 sheets of galvanized iron sheets and nails, which will allow this number of families to build or improve their emergency shelter and from there on start reconstruction. The aid for permanent reconstruction will not benefit everybody, they know that it is in their hands and they will do it.
