Cebu Shelter Cluster Meeting – Minutes
Friday 2pm 7th February
San Remigio Municipality Hall
Shelter Cluster members: Steve Barton (SB), Marteen Van Der Veen (MV), Simon Johnson
Attendance:
IOM, Danish People’s Aid (DPI), ShelterBox, Bantayan Municipality, Sign of Hope and local partner
Mariano R. Martinez – Mayor
Apologies
The Provincial chair of the shelter cluster Ms Evelyn Senajon was unable to be present due to a major
Regional meeting and forwarded her apologies. A member of her team, Ms Jessil attended.
1. Last Meeting Minutes
There were no action points from the previous meeting that needed follow up and the minutes of the
previous meeting were adopted without change.
2. Shelter cluster update
2.1 housing and land property rights (HLP)
No Build Zone (NBZ) discussion. This is a complex issue and apparently different LGU are adopting different
approaches. The legislation regarding the NBZ is not yet clear. SB raised the existence of the HLP inter cluster
group for those not aware of it. The protection cluster is also working on clarifying issues arising from NBZ.
It is important to remember that households (HH) can be displaced for numbers of reasons and as such can
be thought of as “at risk of relocation”. These households face very different and usually more significant
problems than those HH who have clear property rights and access.
A discussion followed on other potential temporary solutions for HH at risk of relocation. These included:
- Support to host families
- Rent relief
The issue of relocation needs to be taken on a case-by-case basis. For example Danish Peoples Aid
apparently found a landowner where families could move. It was not a big problem as there were not many
people.
As information becomes available the Shelter Cluster Team will forward it to partners and will also attend
protection cluster meetings.
Action: Shelter Cluster Coordination Team will forward any advise or recommendations re HLP to the
cluster partners
2.2 Partnership with San Carlos University
SB talked about and showed images of a good project to design a transitional shelter, which may be of
interest to agencies.
San Carlos University is keen to support or partner with agencies in this or other projects including
permanent housing. SB can provide contact details on request.
2.3 Cyclone Basyang impact (Information from PSWD)
- 708 affected households
- Key municipalities of concern– Compostela, Asturias
- SB can provide copies of provincial report on request
This should serve as a reminder that future storms may affect the Cebu Province creating more need for
emergency support.
3. Information management (IM)
MV presented key facts for the region (Cebu) and emphasised the need for all (especially new) agencies to
provide information to the Shelter Cluster IM team so reports distributed are as accurate as possible.
IM reporting will be moving to a two-week cycle in line with OCHA reporting and with a bigger focus on
supported shelter self recovery. Reporting on emergency shelter will be phased out, as the focus now should
be on longer-term solutions.
A summary of support to shelter self-recovery (SSR) by implementing agencies was given. MV highlighted
that currently a low number of carpenters have been trained.
Gaps were highlighted in Pilar and in the south of the affected municipalities. It was mentioned that Caritas
had visited Tubuelan and in their opinion it was not as badly affected as suggested by the data.
MV talked about the trial of a new shelter cluster app to accurately survey and map shelters, and would be
happy to talk to any agency willing to pilot this technology.
Danish Peoples Aid mentioned that they have a Google map of their shelters and that this can be used to
find donors.
4. Introduction of the mayor
The Mayor outlined the municipality challenges, in particular that there was very little support from partners
to the Government. He also noted that not all activities are discussed with him and all agencies are strongly
requested as a matter of courtesy and coordination to consult with and inform mayors of activities planned
or underway within all municipalities where they are present.
5. Shelter cluster partner updates
IOM
-
IOM working with tented camp in Cebu City
Regarding CCCM actively visiting municipalities
Emergency shelter response, operating a procurement hub.
They are supporting shelter self-recovery
San Remigio Mayor
- Focusing on fixing schools
- Started initiative to get private lumber, will cut for owners and keep 50%.
- Already bought relocation sites – It seems that NGOS won’t help with relocated HH response unless
there is a clearly identified and appropriate relocation site.
Action: Cebu Shelter Cluster Coordination Team will lead efforts to try and map relocation sites
Danish People’s Aid:
- Organising workshops on how to build safe shelters
- Planning for 100 wooden shelters. Less than 1000 USD per shelter
- Keen to find additional funding
ShelterBox
- Focussed on Emergency Shelter - tents 2600 on the Bantayan island
- Still receiving requests for more tents?
- Focussing on assessing whether there is still a need for emergency shelter
- Have resources in the country for emergency shelter ready to go
- Open to partnering for SSR although not what they normally do
Representative of Bantayan Municipality – Shelter head of Bantayan
- Collecting data in regards to gaps, wants to synchronise with shelter cluster on this
- 110 house partial and total damage needing permanent housing of these 60 new, the balance
repairs. Working in Barangays in Santa Fe
- Problems getting materials
- Working with local workers
6. Building back better discussion
SB talked about how it is unlikely that there will be funding to assist everyone, so it is imperative that shelter
partners identify the most vulnerable. The focus needs to shift from damage to vulnerability.
Vulnerability criteria identified in the meeting included: disability, poor quality housing, young children,
elderly, handicapped, single parents, pregnant women, babies and displaced people.
It was noted that single headed households with a money earner abroad might be less financially vulnerable.
Secondly it is vital that attempts are made to reach/influence all affected HH, not only those that receive
direct support to build back safer.
7. AOB
Discussions were held on partner’s attendance at cluster meetings and rotation between Cebu City and the
northern affected areas.
8. Next Shelter Cluster Meeting
Date: February 21st
Time: 2pm
Place: Provincial Government Capitol Compound, Cebu City