Erratic Sierra Madre weather stalls efforts to transport 'shelter boxes'

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines  – Unpredictable weather on the Sierra Madre mountains has been stalling the transport of tents and other provisions in so-called “shelter boxes” for families displaced by floods in Isabela.

The England-based ShelterBox organization, which donated some P100 million worth of shelter boxes to victims of howlers “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” last year, was able to send 100 such boxes to disaster-stricken Isabela recently.

“We have 104 more boxes to be turned over to displaced families there, but we have to wait for better weather as we have to pass through the Sierra Madre,” said Peter Pierce, head of ShelterBox Australia who attended the ceremony establishing the Philippine affiliate.

“We want to give these people shelter, warmth and dignity as in other areas in the world that ShelterBox had helped,” Pierce said.

Jesus Nicdao, who was named head of ShelterBox Philippines, said each shelter box is worth about $1,000 and those intended for Isabela are worth about P9 million.

Each box, which is made of green plastic, contains a tent for a family of up to 10 people and basic needs such as beddings, kitchen ware, carpentry tools, and even school kits for children, Nicdao said.

ShelterBox founder Tom Henderson, 60, an Order of British Empire awardee, led the formal launch of ShelterBox Philippines, the 18th affiliate worldwide.

One million people in 70 countries, including the Philippines, continue to use tents donated by ShelterBox.

ShelterBox funds come mostly from donations of 1.2 million members of the Rotary Club worldwide, although it accepts contributions from non-Rotarians.

“We have improved the tents so they are not only rip- but also fire-proof, while the beddings are of the type that could last for 20 years and could even be (used) to fetch water,” Henderson said.

Henderson signed a memorandum of undertaking with Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Benny Ricafort for the use of a huge warehouse here to store 224 standby shelter boxes for future disasters not only in the Philippines but also in nearby countries.

Members of Rotary Clubs all over Luzon have pledged a total of P1.5 million so 224 more shelter boxes could be purchased.

Since 2006, Nicdao said ShelterBox has distributed shelter boxes worth P100 million to disaster victims in Laguna, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, the cities of Marikina and Antipolo, and three towns in Rizal.

ShelterBox tents are still being used as temporary shelters by families displaced by floods in Botolan, Zambales in 2008, Pierce said.