ILOILO City – Substantial assistance is being planned for those adversely affected here by super typhoon “Odette” such as those whose houses were destroyed either totally or partially.
This will be sourced from the calamity funds but to do this, a state of calamity must first be declared, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), 1,366 families from 50 barangays moved to evacuation centers.
As of 12 noon on Dec. 19, most of the families have already returned to their respective houses but 28 families composed of 101 individuals – those whose houses were totally destroyed – remained in evacuation centers.
“To all persons affected by the typhoon we will try to give substantial amount para kabulig ta sa ila,” said Treñas.
The city government will certainly help the family of the 54-year-old woman in Barangay Sambag, Jaro who died when their house was crushed by fallen typhoon-uprooted bamboo plants, he stressed.
The woman was the lone typhoon casualty of the city.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) will have a meeting on the proposed state of calamity declaration. A recommendation will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for approval.
Treñas already called for a special SP session on Tuesday.
Partial data still to be validated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) showed 440 houses totally damaged by the typhoon while 5,768 were partially damaged.
Regarding the totally damaged houses, two were in Arevalo district, another two in the City Proper, 96 in Jaro, 256 in La Paz and Lapuz, 29 in Mandurriao, and 55 in Molo.
On the other hand, the partially damages houses were in Arevalo (93), City Proper (43), Jaro (2,200), La Paz and Lapuz (1,480), Mandurriao (410), and Molo (1,536).
Treñas thanked Sen. Tito Sotto who sent construction materials to be used to repair damaged houses.
According to Treñas, these materials will be distributed to the affected families by Tuesday or Wednesday.
The city mayor also thanked those who donated food packs. These included Tessie Sy Coson and her family and Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation.
“Challenging times are an opportunity for us to unite. Nagakabalaka, nagabuligay,” the city mayor said.
He cited CSWDO personnel and volunteers, and MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) for restoring the electricity in majority of the areas in the city a day after the typhoon hit.
“I commend Mr. Roel Castro (MORE Power president) and his team. What they have done is unprecedented as far as Iloilo City is concerned. Previously, when we have calamities it took several weeks or months for areas be energized,” said Treñas./PN
