By: Roberto C. Dejon, December 15, 2021
Five thousand four hundred fifty nine (5,459) individuals from eighteen (18) different barangays in this city sought refuge at various evacuation centers as Super Typhoon Odette approached the region, December 15.
The thousands of individuals came from 2, 607 families living in barangays identified to be flood-prone prompting the local government unit and the City Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to implement force evacuation.
As of press time, one thousand three hundred and thirty (1, 330) evacuees from 248 families were catered at the Brgy. Lilo-an covered court, barangay hall and the Lilo-an National High School (LiNHS). Most of these evacuees came from the Tzu Chi Great Love City. The number of evacuees, however, is expected to rise as the typhoon continue to inch closer.
Police Station 3 Chief-of-Police (COP) Police Lt. Rodolfo Mercolita personally supervised the evacuation procedures and explained how the evacuation setup for Odette differs from the previous calamities. He explained that evacuees under the jurisdiction of PS3 used to flock to Lilo-an during calamities. However, with every barangay under their authority already having their own evacuation centers, Lilo-an now only caters its own residents. This, Mercolita added, is very timely and appropriate given the threat of the COVID19 pandemic still around.
Only four (4) families are allowed to stay in every room as to uphold social distancing, though there are rooms loaded with several families upon request, them being relatives. In LiNHS, the teaching force exhausted all available classrooms and function rooms to accommodate the evacuees, mostly coming from Tzu Chi Great Love City. The faculty, however, make sure rooms housing important office equipment and documents will be secured.
Over in Brgy. Libertad, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) already commenced distribution of relief goods to the evacuees. The relief packs contained rice, sardines, energy drinks and canned goods.
Thanks for the info Godbless!