The local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran has started distributing a 25-kilogram sack of rice to each home in Tagbilaran City, a report of the City Media Bureau says.
Typhoon Odette brought severe damage to Central Visayas and Mindanao as
thousands of families were evacuated, including those who are residing in the city of Tagbilaran.
In response to the impact of the typhoon, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II prioritized the welfare of the Tagbilaranons by giving relief assistance in this time of great need.
“We want to help the people in any way that we could. The effects of typhoon Odette have been very challenging: some were left with no roof, others had their homes flooded. Electricity was cut off resulting to poor water supply. All these have impacted the lives of our constituents negatively, thus, this rice subsidy aims to alleviate their suffering in one way or another,” Mayor Yap said.
It can be remembered that in Tagbilaran City alone, the strong winds and torrential rains brought by the typhoon toppled trees and electric poles which caused massive blackout in the whole province.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) even had to stop its rescue operations during the height of the typhoon due to the roads’ zero visibility.
The members of the composite team from the Tagbilaran City Police Station – Bureau of Fire Protection and CDRRMO resumed their rescue operations in the early morning of Dec. 17, 2021.
Mayor Yap expressed his appreciation to the teams from the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) for their assistance in the restoration of the fallen electric facilities in the city.
Reports say that Tagbilaran City evacuated more than 250 families from its 9 coastal barangays during the typhoon. The evacuees were housed in 9 evacuation centers, which are Manga High School, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS), City Central Elementary School, Bool Elementary School, Taloto Elementary School, Upper Cogon Elementary School, Tiptip Elementary School, Manga Elementary School, and City East Elementary School.