9 families return to Madridejos islet

CEBU, Philippines - At least nine out of 45 families earlier reported “missing” in Tangingue islet off Madridejos town in Bantayan Island during the typhoon Yolanda have returned and rebuilt their huts.

Madridejos municipal information officer Ma. Gina Sorilo yesterday said that members of Bantay Dagat have checked the islet following report of over a hundred people who live there remain unaccounted for after super typhoon Yolanda washed out their houses

Sorilo said that 16 adults and three children were left at the islet during the typhoon while the rest have earlier evacuated heeding the call of Mayor Salvador dela Fuente.

“Ang uban namauli sa Kinatarkan, may naabtan gyud sa bagyo. Buhi man pero nangaguba ang ilang temporary shelter,” Sorilo told The Freeman.

Municipal engineer Julius Chin and town councilor Stephen Olingay are set to also visit the islet today to check the lighthouse.

Tangingue islet is approximately two hectares and is 15 kilometers off Madridejos town.

The islet is said to be a resting place for fishermen but there are also families who built bamboo houses on stilts there.

Earlier report said that around 1,800 residents in Kinatarkan Island, which is composed of three barangays – Hagdan, Kinatarkan and Langub – and is part of Santa Fe town in Bantayan Island, were also reported missing after the typhoon.

Santa Fe town councilor Jayson Repaso denied the report about the missing people from Kinatarkan saying that they were in the island last Thursday distributing relief goods.

Repaso said that they learned from Kinatarkan residents that some of those who were living in Tangingue were originally from Kinatarkan.—(FREEMAN)