Bigger shelters eyed for typhoon victims

THE search for bigger evacuation centers continue in Cebu as the number of evacuees from typhoon-hit areas in Eastern Visayas continue to rise, social welfare officials said yesterday.

Social Welfare officer Grace Yana said 7,279 persons arrived in Cebu on board the military’s C130 planes since last week. She said 233 families or 1,182 stayed in government evacuation centers.

Others stayed with relatives in Cebu, Manila and other parts of the country.

With Cebu being the transportation and communications hub for relief aid deliveries, Yana said the number of evacuees heading to the province will rise.

Yana said they continue to inspect sports centers and other available spaces in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu Lapu that can be used for camps.

Breakdown

Cebu City hosts the most number of evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) with 671 persons, followed by Lapu-Lapu City with 483 persons and Mandaue City with 28 persons.

Cebu City evacuation centers include the Tinago sports center which houses 304 persons, the Cogon Ramos sports center with 121 persons and the Guadalupe sports center with 108 persons.

Other venues are the Capitol Parish sports center that houses 65 persons, the San Roque sports center with 35 IDPs and the San Nicolas sports center with 38 IDPs.

In Lapu Lapu City, 145 persons are accommodated at the Looc sports center, 157 persons at the Babag sports center and 172 persons at the Suba Basbas sports center.

Mandaue City’s Banilad sports center houses 28 persons while Talisay City houses more than 100 persons.

Treatment

Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon’s proposal to put up a tent city at a portion of the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City would be most welcome said Nemia Antipala, Acting DSWD Asst. director for operations.

Aside from the IDPs, 161 injured persons were referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Yana said the DSWD’s crisis intervention unit takes care of the needs and medical bills of the admitted patients.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the families shouldn’t be driven out.

“Who else would help them?,” Rama said, adding that accommodating them is a test of Cebu’s charity and generosity.

Personal funds

Fr. Kulamddairaj Ambrose, counselor of the Missionaries of the Poor center in barangay Poblacion, Talisay City said they need donations to sustain the needs of the IDPs.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes said he would use the money intended for the Christmas party of Talisay City government employees as donation to the evacuees staying in Talisay City.

The mayor ordered City Hall department heads to look for houses in the city that can be rented for P1,500 to P2,000 a month for the evacuees.

Talisay City Councilor Dennis Basillote said the mayor should use his personal funds since the city government funds cannot be channeled for this purpose.