Relief goods given out

CEBU, Philippines - More than 6000 relief goods have been distributed yesterday by the Provincial Government with more on its way to municipalities and cities in Cebu where families are left without food and water as a result of super typhoon "Yolanda."

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) OIC Evelyn Senajon said they sent 1500 packs of relief goods for Bantayan Island, excluding the food packs that Governor Hilario Davide III brought with him when he went to the municipality yesterday.

Bantayan Island was one of the most affected by the super typhoon. But as to the estimate of the damage, no reports have been given yet by the local government unit and the provincial government, since communication and power lines were still down yesterday.

By mid afternoon though, Davide headed to Bantayan Island, together with members of  the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to distribute food and to check on the situation of the island and the residents.

But Davide said in an earlier interview that their priority would be on providing food for the residents and on other necessities before they assess on the cost of the damage.

Further, PSWDO OIC Senajon said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also gave 825 relief goods to families in San Remegio while other food packs were delivered to Medellin, Daan Bantayan, Danao and other northern towns, which were most affected by the typhoon compared to the southern towns.

Senajon said though that they have provided relief goods to some southern towns and is ready to provide more when the need arises.

Further, Senajon also expressed their gratitude to the student volunteers of the University of Cebu and the Cebu City Police Office who helped the repacking operations in the Provincial Capitol.  Employees of the offices of the capitol also helped in the repacking operations led by the PSWDO.

Meanwhile, there are around five percent of more than 18,000 evacuees recorded in Cebu City that have remained in evacuation centers as of yesterday.

Department of Social Welfare Services chief Ester Concha said evacuees have returned home a day after "Yolanda" hovered over Cebu.

"As of now, halos nanguli na. We are monitoring nalang sa bukid," Concha said.

Cebu City residents started leaving their houses last Wednesday as part of preemptive measures.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama acknowledges the collective effort of the city government and partner private firms on why there are no casualties and major damage in the city.

Also, apart from basic needs provided by city government, private groups also helped.  (FREEMAN)