Typhoon-hit families transferred to tents

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City has begun transferring families displaced by Typhoon Tino into a “tent city” in Barangay Bacayan as schools used as evacuation centers prepare to resume face-to-face classes.

Following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino on November 5, most displaced individuals were temporarily housed in schools. Currently, the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) disclosed that 16 tents have been installed at the Urbanville Gym in Barangay Bacayan, where families have started to settle.

It can be recalled that Bacayan is one of the hardest-hit barangays during Typhoon Tino.

DWUP was tasked to secure relocation areas for families vacating temporary shelters, including a chapel in Barangay Bacayan and a space behind Bacayan Elementary School.

This comes as Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival acknowledged the difficulty evacuees face in moving but assured them of full support.

Aside from Bacayan, Archival also looked into the displaced families in Talamban.

“Kay gamiton ang eskwelahan, kinahanglan nato sila ibalhin sa gym. Dili ni sayon para nila, pero buhaton nato ang tanan para mas komportable ug luwas ilang kahimtang,” Archival said in a post on his social media account.

Earlier on, Archival promised that those in tent cities will be assured access to clean water, sanitation facilities, medical care, police security, and mobile kitchens.

He also reiterated that the city will not allow families to return to unsafe areas, urging barangay leaders to help secure permanent sites.

“Sa tanang ni-agi ug kalisod, kami ania kaninyo. Tinabangay ta, kay diri sa atong siyudad, walay biyaay,” Archival added.

In an emergency meeting with the City Development Council, Mayor Archival also directed barangay captains to identify both temporary and permanent relocation areas to keep residents out of danger zones.

The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) reported to the City Council in an executive session last Friday that nearly 198,285 individuals in the north district were affected by the storm, with 3,490 houses totally damaged and more than 36,000 partially damaged.

In the south district, 30,189 families—or about 150,945 individuals—were also impacted.

Acting Vice Mayor Winston Pepito directed DWUP to expedite the identification of permanent relocation sites, echoing Archival’s instruction that residents must not return to danger zones.

DWUP has also coordinated with Barangay Pit-os to accommodate affected families at its gym.