Baliguian Island unofficially called “Miracle Island” by the locals, due to its experiences with Typhoon Haiyan. It is the westernmost of the Concepcion Islands, a virtually flat remote island, yes it’s flat, Baliguian features a lighthouse to aid in ship navigation.
Locals say that is was a miracle that when the Typhoon passed the island in November 2013, a 20ft tall wave which was heading right towards the island disappeared to the bottom of the island and just missed them, but the strong winds and waters destroyed every house on the island. Most of them hid in the local school and church.
Some said.. “We saw a white light hit the wave and made it go away, we are thankful we are still alive as we couldn’t leave the island”.
“When the super typhoon came in Nov 2013, it destroyed all 190 houses here, it is a miracle the families survived, when I walked around this island on July 14th 2014, it’s unbelievable to see how these children still live in leaking homes when it rains, no clean water and mostly in the dark.”
There is still no power yet and its not expected to be any electricity here for some time. They use generators, kerosene fuel and torchlights here which gives them a single light for about 2-3 hours daily. Families also have to pay for fuel to be used for generators. This effects their daily source of income too. For water, food and school, they have to take a boat to travel to the main land for 1-2 hours daily. It took us 4 hours to get there from Roxas city, via van and then a boat.
An international NGO Humanity First Canada is currently in plans to build new homes for some of the families here too. The solar lights will be donated with the help of this NGO.
The ‘Give Them Light’ Philippines project would like to donate 380 Nokero Solar lights to these folks here. To send them a Gift of Light, please click the link below and donate today. Each Nokero solar light cost US$15, so we hope you can spare that from your budget to help out and make this difference. Mothers will use it to feed their babies, reading lights for children and families living with clean green energy.
Help us Put a Smile on a Child’s Face – Purchase A Solar Light for a family – www.imkiran.com/
Hassan & Gaycebel from Humanity First Canada helped organiser this trip. They are planning to build new homes on this island.
After an hour on the boat we finally saw and believed what we heard so far about a remote flat island out in nowhere
On 10th July, I took a van ride together with my friends from Humanity First Canada from Roxas City for 2 hours, heading to Concepcion, from there we then took a boat ride for another 1 hour to this miracle remote island called Baliguian Island.
Note: red arrow marks the spot to where we headed.
Another house that was rebuild or put together. I don’t think this passes for the secure home. Locals getting ready the fishing traps. In the background is another put together shelter that leaks when it rains. – Baliguian Island, Panay – Philippines
A local girl cooking some rice while the rest take a moment for the picture. The usual thing I always hear from the children here… “Sir, picture please”.
The kids were friendly and playful, always with smiles and pleased to see visitors here on Baliguian Island, Panay.
Part of the damaged house on the west side of the island. Shelters were rebuild be locals, some still leak when it rains and have no electricity.
A local kid sitting on barrels used for water and kerosene. – Baliguian Island, Panay.
Locals get water for washing and bathing from wells in this island. Water for drinking is bought from the mainland.
Another house destroyed by the typhoon Haiyan that passed in November 2013, after 8 months we still see scars of what happened here. Can’t imagine 300km of winds and water hitting my home while I’m still inside.
The island caretaker showing me the generator that they used currently, they have 2 hours of light daily and have to purchase the kerosene gas to run it.
