UNITY FOR YOLANDA
Volunteers of Balsa Mindanao hold candles as they prayed for their relief mission to Yolanda victims in Leyte last weekend before their takeoff at Lipata Port, Surigao City. (photo courtesy of Balsa Mindanao)
SMILE
Carlos Zarate, representative of Bayan Muna partylist waves at a child during the Balsa Mindanao's relief drive in Leyte this weekend where they distributed 14,000 relief packs to victims of Typhoon Yolanda. (photo courtesy of Balsa Mindanao Southern Mindanao)
Ferry boat management bumps off relief mission members for two government VIP vehicles
Their sudden ejection from the 10:00 am trip cut them off from the convoy of a relief mission organized by the Balsa Mindanao, the same organization that also organized a low-key but sustained relief and medical missions to the areas ravaged by Typhoon Pablo last year.
A diaspora of Yolanda survivors
“The migration of survivors indicate the rising problem of people having lost trust in government,” said Prof. Mae Templa, who is also a coordinator of Balsa Mindanao.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
Debt relief to free up P 125 B for Eastern Visayas rehab
Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna said debt relief, or the writing off of debts from international credit banks, can free government funds for rehabilitation.