DSWD taking care of evacuees

CEBU, Philippines -  The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 is now taking care of evacuees from Tacloban City who are now in Cebu following the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

Aileen Arriba, DSWD-7 information officer, said they had prepared food and relief items as well as the evacuation center for 300 families from Tacloban City.

But Ariba said the number of evacuees could be higher as soon as they finished the headcount.

“As of now, wala pa gyud mi nakahibalo sa exact nga number kung pila gyud ni sila ka pamilya kay sige pa mi og ihap,” said Arriba.

The evacuees were transferred to Cebu through  a  C130 of the Philippine Air Force.

DSWD-7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat had asked Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to accommodate the typhoon victims in the city.

“Pero dili lang namo isulti kung asa nga evacuation center ni sila nahimutang kay basin unya daghang mga tawo ang mangadto asking for their respective relatives,” Arriba said.

Tinago Sports Complex

At least 41 survivors who flew in from Tacloban City via a military plane are now staying in Barangay Tinago Sports Complex.

The place was the evacuation center provided by the city government following Jabagat’s request for the city to assist the refugees.

Food will be handled by DSWD while the city will provide for the temporary shelters, portalets, light and water supplies.

City Administrator Atty. Jose Marie Poblete said the city assisted the evacuees who needed medical attention as more than 20 were brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

The evacuees were initially housed at the Benito Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City and at YMCA Cebu.

Yesterday, city-owned buses fetched the evacuees and transferred them to the Tinago Sports Complex was prepared.

“DSWD initially proposed utilizing the Cebu City Sports Complex but we looked for possible alternatives considering the length of stay is not yet determined and we have future activities to be held at our sports complex,” Poblete said.

If more evacuees will arrive, the city government is considering the Ramos Gym and the San Nicolas Proper Gym as possible temporary shelters.

The city government also arranged for Cebu Coliseum to be made as additional venue for relief goods. — With Jose P. Sollano-/LPM (FREEMAN)