Capitol opens door for Cebu City residents

CEBU, Philippines - Mary Joy Josol, 39, had to spare food for lunch from what they prepared on Saturday night before they left their house and evacuated at the Capitol compound.

Josol, together with her three children, were among those hundred residents of Barangay Capitol Site who sought temporary shelter in the Capitol because they feared typhoon Ruby’s fury would destroy their houses or sweep them with floodwaters as they were living near a creek at M. Velez Street.

They were sleeping on the ground floor of the Capitol building, occupying the west wing lobby, particularly from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, to the other wing.

However, while typhoon Ruby’s presence could still be felt, the place was almost cleared as early as yesterday morning when The FREEMAN visited the area.

Josol’s family was the only one left. She said, in an interview with The FREEMAN, many opted to leave early because they ran out of food supply. When asked whether the food assistance or relief goods were enough, Josol said they did not receive any, adding that they were only given bread from the barangay.

“Mao na man na among naandan, sir, nga kami-kami ra maningkamot sa among pagkaon. Igo ra man pod mi mamasilong diri kung naay kalamidad, ingon ani nga bagyo,” she said while carrying her youngest child who was suffering from fever. Sought for comment, Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera, quoting PSWDO Rose Jao, said “it has never been a practice” of the Capitol to give food to them since they are being taken care of by their barangay.

“We just accommodate them because silingan ra baya sila kaayo sa Capitol,” she said over the phone.

Josol had all their things packed, ready to go when interviewed as Ruby’s presence started to dissipate.

Typhoon Ruby has already left the Visayas but the local government units, especially in northern Cebu, are still reeling from the devastation it left.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said some mayors reported that their evacuation centers were already full and they feared that they would not enough food supply.

Transporting the relief goods from the mainland to the islands of Bantayan and Camotes has been a challenge of the responding team since vessels were prohibited to venture out on the sea because typhoon public storm warning signal no. 2 remain hoisted over Cebu City and northern Cebu as of 6 p.m. yesterday.

“Mao nay problema nato how to get across. We will find ways,” Davide told reporters.

Jone Siegfred Sepe, head of the Provincial General Services Office, said the province coordinated with the Philippine Navy for the transport of the goods to the islands.

Once Pagasa lifts the storm warning signal for Cebu and the Philippine Coast Guard gives clearance, the vessels would immediately transport the relief goods, Sepe added.  (FREEMAN)