{"success":true,"message":"Publications fetched.","data":[{"id":"29","category":"Rehabilitation and Recovery","title":"Pundasyon Bayanihan: Rebuilding Homes, Restoring Hope","content":"## Background\nA Recovery and Rehabilitation Project for the affected families of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine\n\nIn the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which struck parts of Batangas in October 2024, hundreds of families were left without safe shelter, stability, or a sense of security. Homes were washed away or rendered uninhabitable, forcing already vulnerable households to endure prolonged displacement and uncertainty.\n\nIn response, the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission (LASAC) launched Pundasyon Bayanihan, a housing recovery initiative implemented from March to August 2025. Rooted in faith, solidarity, and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, the project provided a dignified and community-centered approach to rebuilding homes and restoring hope among disaster-affected families.\n\nPundasyon Bayanihan was designed as a voucher-based housing assistance program, enabling beneficiaries to access construction materials needed to repair or rebuild their homes. This system empowered families to actively participate in their own recovery while ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality control.\n\n## Response \/ Implementation\nPundasyon Bayanihan was implemented through a coordinated, step-by-step process that emphasized community participation, accountability, and quality. The project began with intensive social preparation and partnership-building, involving close coordination with partner parishes and local government units (LGUs). These engagements were formalized through Memoranda of Understanding, ensuring shared responsibility and alignment on project goals, roles, and processes.\n\nThis was followed by a rigorous selection and validation of beneficiaries, carried out through household profiling, site visits, and interviews. LASAC ensured that only families whose homes were severely damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and who met vulnerability criteria were included, allowing assistance to reach those most in need.\n\nThis was followed by a rigorous selection and validation of beneficiaries, carried out through household profiling, site visits, and interviews. LASAC ensured that only families whose homes were severely damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and who met vulnerability criteria were included, allowing assistance to reach those most in need.\n\nActual construction and repair works commenced on May 21, 2025. Throughout this phase, monitoring teams composed of LASAC staff, parish representatives, and LGU partners conducted regular site visits to ensure proper use of materials, compliance with safety standards, and quality workmanship. Upon completion, housing units were formally turned over to beneficiaries, marked with LASAC house plates as a symbol of partnership and accountability, and blessed in ceremonies that affirmed the project\u2019s pastoral and spiritual dimension.\n\n## Impact at a Glance\n- 79 families assisted, benefiting 334 individuals\n- Housing recovery implemented across five parishes.\n\n## Stories of Hope\nAmong the many stories of loss and courage is that of Santiago Mendoza of Barangay Banyaga, Agoncillo. On October 24, raging floodwaters swept through their community, claiming the lives of his wife, his mother, and his eldest child. Amid overwhelming grief, Santiago found the strength to carry on for the sake of his youngest child.\n\n\nThrough Pundasyon Bayanihan, Santiago received a new home\u2014one that stands not only as shelter, but as a symbol of hope and a reason to continue living and healing. \n\nFor him, the house represents a new beginning after unimaginable loss, and a reminder that he was not alone in his journey toward recovery.\n\n## Acknowledgement\nPundasyon Bayanihan stands as a testament to what can be achieved when the Church, government, donors, and communities work together for a common mission. Through faith, cooperation, and compassion, the project not only rebuilt homes but also strengthened resilience and renewed hope among families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.\n\nTogether, we rebuild not just houses\u2014but lives.","banner":"uploads\/publications\/banner_1770170021_6bd6e8c26e7d.jpg","created_at":"2026-02-04 09:53:41","banner_url":"https:\/\/eoc.lasaclipa.org\/uploads\/publications\/banner_1770170021_6bd6e8c26e7d.jpg","type":"publication"},{"id":"11","category":"Rehabilitation and Recovery","title":"Restoring Dignity and Access: Cash-Based Intervention for the affected families of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine","content":"## Background\nBatangas Province was severely affected when Typhoon Kristine struck on October 24, 2024, impacting 98,929 families (427,366 individuals). Thousands were displaced, homes were destroyed, lives were lost, and critical infrastructure was severely damaged. Beyond these visible impacts, many families also lost essential civil documents such as birth certificates and marriage contracts, making access to healthcare, education, and government assistance extremely difficult.\n\n## Response \/ Implementation\nIn response, the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission (LASAC), in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Caritas Philippines, implemented a Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) project. The initiative aimed to assist 500 of the most affected families by providing financial support to replace lost or damaged civil documents, while also promoting the protection and rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).\n\nThe project was implemented in five severely affected municipalities: Agoncillo, Balete, Lemery, Talisay, and Laurel. It began with social preparation activities, including coordination with parish priests and local partners, followed by a thorough family profiling and data validation process conducted in December 2024.\n\nEach qualified family received Php3,600 in cash assistance, intended primarily to support the replacement of lost or damaged civil documents. Distribution activities were conducted on scheduled dates and were accompanied by advocacy sessions emphasizing the importance of civil documentation, IDP rights, and protection from exploitation. In partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region IV-A and the PSA Batangas Chapter, civil registration services were made accessible on-site, significantly easing the process of document replacement. A National ID application station was also available.\n\nStrong collaboration among the Church, local government units, civil society organizations, and national agencies ensured the smooth implementation of the project. The inclusion of beneficiaries from different religious backgrounds reflected the project\u2019s commitment to dignity, solidarity, and inclusion.\n\n## Impact at a Glance\n- \u2022\t500 families (2,214 individuals) received \u20b13,600 in cash assistance\n- \u2022\t 784 civil documents (birth certificates and marriage contracts) were facilitated\n\n## Stories of Hope\nSomaliah M. Nanay, a 31-year-old Muslim woman, currently resides in Sampaloc, Talisay, Batangas, with her family of eight. They earn a living selling slippers. Somaliah and her family have been displaced multiple times. Originally from Marawi City, they were forced to flee due to armed conflict, eventually settling in Quezon province. Further peace and order issues compelled them to relocate again to Talisay, where they currently live.\n\nWhen Typhoon Kristine struck on October 24, Somaliah's family was once again displaced and remains in an evacuation center. Their home was destroyed by the typhoon, and they lost their important documents.\n\nTheir inclusion in a UNHCR project, facilitated by LASAC, proved to be a blessing. This project aimed to protect affected families by assisting with the reissuance of lost or damaged civil documents. On November 26, 2024, Somaliah and her family received new PSA birth certificates. Somaliah expressed her gratitude, stating, \" Malaking tulong ito at napakahalaga sa amin at sa aking mga anak. Mas napadali sa amin ang pagkuha ng civil documents dahil hindi na naming kailangang pumunta sa Lipa at pumila ng mahaba upang makakuha nito.\"\n\n## Acknowledgement\nLASAC extends its sincere gratitude to UNHCR, Caritas Philippines, the Philippine Statistics Authority (Region IV-A and Batangas Chapter), partner local government units, parish communities, volunteers, and all individuals who contributed to the successful implementation of this project.","banner":"uploads\/publications\/pub_1768358346_e606a0e88a62.jpg","created_at":"2026-01-14 10:39:06","banner_url":"https:\/\/eoc.lasaclipa.org\/uploads\/publications\/pub_1768358346_e606a0e88a62.jpg","type":"publication"}]}