Responding Quickly and Effectively
The Philippines is one of the world’s worst disaster-affected countries. On average, we respond there nearly twice a year to disasters like cyclones and earthquakes.
That’s why we have set up ShelterBox Operations Philippines, a locally registered NGO that is and run by ShelterBox Operations HQ in the UK.
Having an office allows us to respond and distribute emergency shelter aid quickly and efficiently, whenever disaster strikes.
This is a first for ShelterBox – setting up ShelterBox Operations Philippines and having aid stored in Cebu is an achievement we are proud of.
It’s a great example of our flexible and agile model at work – ensuring we’re well placed to reach families as quickly as possible in the aftermath of disaster.
Meet the staff
ShelterBox Operations Philippines currently employs two members of staff, based in Cebu.
Marilou Pia – Country Manager, focuses on all aspects of managing our operations office, ensuring the organisation is as prepared as possible to respond when events happen. Marilou joins us with over 25 years NGO and humanitarian experience, working with both local and international agencies.
Rose Placencia – Community Engagement Manager, works around all aspects of community engagement, including delivering community-based training and undertaking post-distribution monitoring following the end of our responses. Rose has over seven years of experience in Community Development from the government and International NGOs across different regions in the Philippines.
The importance of ShelterBox Operations Philippines
ShelterBox has responded in the Philippines more frequently than any other country – an average of nearly twice a year between 2004 and 2019.
In the past we have used our usual model, sending teams of international volunteers to import aid.
This worked well until Typhoon Haiyan hit in 2013. After this disaster, importing aid into the Philippines has become much more difficult for international charities.
The Philippine Government has also become less likely to declare an official state of emergency, making it considerably more challenging for ShelterBox to import the vital aid families need. The government strongly favours agencies that are registered and present in the Philippines, as well as preferring agencies who procure aid items from within the country.
We have set up ShelterBox Operations Philippines in response to this, so we can help the families who need us as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Have a look at a timeline with our main responses in the country.
Our aid in the country
We have aid locally stored in the province of Cebu, in the Central Visayas region.
We plan to hold stock to support around 3,000 households. We typically hold aid items such as ShelterKits, tents, and other aid items such as water carriers, mosquito nets and solar lights.
We also hold stock of other more durable items such as corrugated iron and typhoon strapping. These can be used to support our more typical emergency shelter items and help support self-recovery.
As with every ShelterBox response, we carefully select and distribute aid. This is based on our experience from previous responses within the country, the suitability of the items for the area, and – most importantly – what local communities tell us they need.
Working together with Rotary
As with all of our responses around the world, Rotarians are instrumental in helping us deliver aid to families in need.
Rotary is a key partner to ShelterBox Operations Philippines and we’re working closely with local Rotarians to help us establish strong relationships with communities and the government to promote our work in the country.
Rotary has also been greatly helpful in helping us set up the warehouse in Cebu.
Governance
ShelterBox Operations Philippines* is governed by a board of seven, with three members from the Philippines and four members from ShelterBox UK’s executive team:
Guiller Tumangan – Chairman
Jose Mari Tirol – Corporate Secretary
Francis Initorio – Treasurer
Michael Johns – Trustee (and ShelterBox Finance Director)
Darren Moss – Trustee (and ShelterBox Operations Director)
*SEC registration number CN201720528 in the name ShelterBox Operations Philippines Inc.
*Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Tax Identification Number (TIN) 009-713-317-00000 in the name ShelterBox Operations Philippines