SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — Filipino community leaders on the typhoon-devastated island of Rota appealed to the Philippine government to extend financial and humanitarian assistance to overseas Filipinos left struggling after Super Typhoon Bavi destroyed homes, cut off water and electricity, and crippled much of the island's infrastructure.
Jessica Calvo, president of the Filipino Community of Rota, said many Filipinos feel they have been overlooked despite suffering some of the worst damage inflicted by the Category 5 storm.
"They're all affected. They should give them assistance," Calvo told The Manila Times. "Even if it's not the full amount, at least everyone has something. That's just my personal opinion."
Calvo said many Filipinos on Rota were disappointed they did not receive the financial assistance that was extended through Philippine government agencies to eligible overseas Filipino workers in Saipan and Tinian following Super Typhoon Sinlaku earlier this year because Rota was not directly affected. Now that Bavi devastated the island, she hopes the Philippine government, particularly the Department of Migrant Workers and the Philippine Consulate General in Guam, will include Filipinos on Rota in any relief effort.
She also appealed for compassion toward Filipinos who have fallen out of legal immigration status.
"It's more pitiful for people who don't have a status. They need help more. They're Filipinos too," she said.
Originally from Imus, Cavite, Calvo works as a special education teacher at Sinapalo Elementary School. She said life on Rota remains extremely difficult as residents continue lining up for rationed water while fuel shortages hamper travel around the island.
"There is still no recovery. We still don't have running water," she said.
Calvo said many Filipino families suffered extensive losses because their homes were built with tin roof that were no match for Bavi's destructive winds.
"Their roofs flew. Their homes are damaged. Not only their homes, but also their belongings. Their belongings are all wet."
She said Filipinos have been relying on one another, checking on neighbors, sharing information whenever communications are available and helping each other clear debris.
Among those trying to rebuild is Bong Openiano, 56, a staff member at As Paris Restaurant in Songsong, Rota. Originally from Bulacan, Openiano said Bavi destroyed virtually everything inside the workers' living quarters.
"Our equipment, all of our clothes—totally damaged," he said.
Openiano said he and his co-workers are temporarily staying at their employer's house while repairs continue because their barracks were heavily damaged.
He also appealed for assistance from the Philippine government.
Another longtime Filipino resident, 66-year-old carpenter Camilo Javier from La Union, has called Rota home since 1985. He said Bavi destroyed his house.
"It's all gone," Javier said. For now, he is staying in what remains of the structure while trying to recover from the disaster.
Their stories mirror the scale of destruction described by Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, who said more than half of the island's structures—including homes, government buildings and public facilities—sustained some form of damage after Bavi.
"We can rebuild, we can recover from this. It may take some time, but we can do it, especially coming together to help one another," Hocog said.
