ROXAS City – As early as Saturday morning, the city government started releasing food assistance to residents of Olotayan, an island barangay, in preparation for the coming of tropical storm “Auring”.
According to Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, Olotayan Island has always been a concern during typhoons. Big waves and strong winds make the island inaccessible from the mainland.
To make sure the island’s residents have food, the city government sent sacks of rice and canned goods. The barangay council could operate a soup kitchen, said Dadivas.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) released food aid to 48 fishermen of the island coursed through the City Agriculture Office.
“Tuman gid ang amon pagpasalamat sa BFAR kag city government. Kami nakaambit sini nga grasya…Daku ini nga bulig sa amon, labi na nga may palapit nga bagyo,” a beneficiary said.
Yesterday, Roxas City was placed under storm signal No. 1. Other barangays also prepared their evacuation centers, soup kitchens and relief goods.
“Kooperasyon kag nagakaigo nga pagpanginlaman ang kinahanglan para sa kaluwasan sang tanan. Ang Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center kag ang nanari-sari nga eskwelahan sa syudad ang preparado sa pagbaton sang mga kasimanwa naton nga maga-evacuate,” said Dadivas.
The city government also prepared modular evacuation relief tents at the city civic center.
Meantime, the Philippine Coast Guard-Capiz yesterday morning cancelled all sea trips to and from Roxas City, Batangas Port and Romblon./PN
