In November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), considered as one of the strongest storms, hit the country and left thousands of people homeless and devastated almost the entire city of Tacloban, Leyte. Immediately after, numerous non-government organizations here and abroad, took action and helped build again the communities affected by the super typhoon.
International Inner Wheel (IIW) affiliate clubs sent financial support through Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (IWCPI) amounting to about Eight Million Pesos (PhP 8,000,000.00). An adhoc committee was created by then National President Gregoria “Nene” Villaflor in IWY 2012-2013 for this special project, to assess and prioritize areas which were severely damaged.
Five project sites were identified: Funds were used to purchase bancas for the fishermen and rebuild the multi-purpose center of Bgy. Daculan in Ilo-Ilo; renovation of classrooms in Bassey, Samar; construction of a two-storey Livelihood Center which is now being used to hold short programs on how to start a small business in order to sustain and augment income of the members of the community; and construction of a multi purpose hall at Mercedes, Leyte.
A substantial portion of the funds were used to construct twenty (20) two-storey houses in Palo and Mercedes, Leyte in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga who provided the land where these houses were built. On August 14, 2015, under the term of National President Cecille Ferrer these houses were turned over. Recipient families were overwhelmed and named it the “IIW and IWCPI Village”, with a marker installed at the entrance of the village.
Present during the turn over were IWY 2015-2016 National President Cecille Ferrer, 1st National Vice President Gloria “Baby” Golez, National President Elect Edna Ibrado, Immediate Past National President Bebe Relucio, National Representative Margarita “Margie” Ortiz Luis together with our partner donor Gawad Kalinga officials. The activity was witnessed by Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez who was very grateful for the outpouring of support which benefited the displaced survivor victims of Tacloban Leyte.
Today, IIW and IWCPI Village stands proud along side with other houses donated by generous benefactors from different parts of the world such as Kellogs of Hongkong, Canada and United States of America.
IWCPI and the people of Leyte will be forever grateful to the members of International Inner Wheel for their support and compassion in helping the people rebuild their lives and communities