UFO offers to help Rota Pinoys connect with PH government as Bavi recovery continues

The United Filipino Organization on Saipan is offering to help Filipino residents on typhoon-ravaged Rota coordinate assistance with Philippine diplomatic officials as recovery continues following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi.

In a statement, UFO president Carlito Marquez urged overseas Filipinos on Rota to remain safe and reach out if they need help.

"To our kababayans on Rota, keep safe," Marquez said.

"If you need assistance please don't hesitate to message us, identify your needs, number of affected OFWs and your contact number. In that way, we can facilitate any help that you need."

He said the organization is prepared to help relay requests to Philippine officials.

"We will help you to communicate with Philippine Consulate in Guam and in the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. Thank you."

The offer comes as Filipino community leaders on Rota say many families continue to struggle without running water, reliable communications and electricity days after the Category 5 storm struck the island.

Jessica Calvo, president of the Filipino Community of Rota, said residents remain focused on meeting their most basic needs while recovery efforts continue.

"There is still no recovery. We still don't have running water," said Calvo, who works as a special education teacher at Sinapalo Elementary School. She said residents have been lining up for rationed water while fuel shortages have made travel around the island difficult.

Calvo said many Filipino families suffered heavy losses because homes with tin roofs were unable to withstand Bavi's destructive winds.

"The Filipino community here, mostly, their houses are made of tin roofs," she said. "Their roofs flew. Their homes are damaged. Not only their homes, but also their belongings. Their belongings are all wet."

Despite the destruction, she said Filipinos have been helping one another by checking on neighbors, sharing information and clearing debris as they begin rebuilding their homes.

Among those affected is Bong S. Openiano, a staff member at As Paris Restaurant in Songsong, Rota. The 56-year-old said Bavi destroyed the workers' living quarters and most of their belongings.

"Our equipment, all of our clothes — totally damaged," Openiano said. He added that he and his co-workers are temporarily staying at their employer's house while repairs are underway.

Longtime Rota resident Camilo Javier, a 66-year-old carpenter who has lived on the island since 1985, also lost his home to the storm.

"It's all gone," Javier said when asked about his house.

The experiences of Filipino residents reflect the broader devastation across Rota.

Mayor Aubry Hocog has estimated that more than half of the island's structures sustained some form of damage after Bavi.

"I would even say more than like 50% of our island has undergone damages and it could be more," Hocog said.

She said restoring water service remains the immediate priority, while power restoration could take an estimated two to three months because of extensive damage to utility poles and power lines.

"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.

Filipino workers on Rota may also qualify for assistance from the Philippine government's Department of Migrant Workers.

The DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided $100 in emergency financial assistance to eligible overseas Filipino workers affected by disasters, noting the program was rolled out for workers on Saipan and Tinian following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The assistance is intended to help overseas Filipino workers recover from typhoon-related losses, although permanent residents and green card holders are not covered under the program.