A new book chronicles how Energy Development Corporation (EDC) harnessed the power of good in aiding the people of Leyte hours after super typhoon Yolanda laid waste to the province.
“Yolanda: Stories of Faith, Courage, and Hope from the EDC Family” is a glimpse into the workings of EDC’s crisis management team in the aftermath of Yolanda, which saw the company rushing to account for “743 employees and a massive power plant that was also the world’s largest integrated geothermal operations, producing 60% of EDC’s geothermal output and 37% of the power supply in the Visayas.”
In his foreword, EDC chairman Federico R. Lopez (FRL) said the book is not just a collection of photos or a documentation of the company’s efforts, which became known as “the largest private sector-driven rescue and relief operations following the world’s strongest storm in recent history.”
“It shows the strength of the Lopez Values that continue to propel every kapamilya into being paragons of that pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, unity, nationalism, social justice, integrity and employee welfare and wellness no matter what the circumstance,” FRL said. “More importantly, this book tells the story of how faith and hope triumph over fear and despair—of how the greatest tragedy to have hit the nation can also be its biggest source of inspiration.” Heart-wrenching photos of the widespread devastation provide a counterpoint to president Ricky Tantoco’s emails and handwritten letters to EDC employees that served as a “lifeline between EDC’s crisis management hub in Manila and ground zero in Leyte, bringing direction, purpose, unity and hope to a devastated community.”
The “Yolanda: Stories of Faith, Courage, and Hope from the EDC Family” cover image taken by Agence France-Presse’s Philippe Lopez depicts survivors taking part in a religious procession in Tolosa, Leyte 10 days after the typhoon hit. The Hong Kong-based lensman’s photo was included in the Time magazine list of the top 10 images of 2013.
Yolanda, “the world’s strongest storm in recorded history,” affected more than 16 million people in eight regions in the Philippines. Region 8, where Leyte and Samar are, bore the brunt of the calamity with 5,785 dead and 1,729 missing. Today, more than 1 million survivors remain in tent cities and temporary shelters in Leyte alone.
For a copy of the book, contact Hazel Velasco at 449-6081 or [email protected].
