Cebuanos heed call for pre-emptive evac

Residents from flood-prone areas in barangays Pasil, Suba and Sawang Calero, Cebu City seek refuge at the Gothong National High School. CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

The good news is that people listened to calls for pre-emptive evacuation.

THOUSANDS of people, including those from islets in northern Cebu, crowded schools and government centers in Cebu City and province yesterday to seek shelter ahead of typhoon Ruby.

The good news is that people listened to calls for pre-emptive evacuation.

But in Cebu City,  where almost 1,000 families started to crowd evacuation centers,  they arrived before the official signal was given to transfer, giving the local government a “headache” because  some started asking for food aid even before the storm hits.

Several evacuees were asked to go back  home.

“Our instruction was for barangays to alert the public of a possible evacuation but they whould wait for further instructions.   They only have to prepare emergency bags. It shows the people panicked, “ said  Councilor Dave Tumulak.

As of 7 p.m.  no official declaration was given yet for a forced evacuation.

Families  were overcrowding the Don Carlos Gothong Memorial National High School and  asking  for food assistance.

“We can’t blame them if they started evacuating before an official order since they have already seen what happened during Yolanda.” said  Simeon Romarate, executive director of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Vehicles parked along roads should be transferred   to avoid blocking  clearing operations. Those that remain will be towed today.
province

In Daanbantayan , those  who used to ignore advisories  promptly evacuated this time. Some 3,700 people including those from the islands of Carnaza and Malapascua were evacuated yesterday.

More than 605 people from Bogo City have moved in to public schools since Thursday night although the weather was still fair.

“Other brought their own food while others are asking to be fed because they were told to move out, ,” said Bogo City Administrator Max Suico.

Island towns of Bantayan and Madridejos evacuated about 1,500 people from islets, including Lipayran, Panitugan, Botigues, Hilotongan and Doong.

More than 1,200 people from coastal barangays of Medellin sought shelter in schools. The town prepared generator sets to keep the water systems running.

In Mandaue City, evacuees from river banks, creeks, landslide-prone and coastal areas have started coming.
Evacuation centers have designated cooking areas and evacuees brought their own bedding and cooking utensils aside from personal needs.

Juvy Sumalinog, 45, of Barangay Looc, Mandaue City said they moved because they are scared. “Nahadlok mi basin og modako ang dagat kay kusog daw kayo ang bagyo.”

The Gaisano chain of stores made a donation of 50 rubber boats and 50 gloves.  A similar donation was also given to the Central Command.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Andy Berame, the Disaster Risk Reduction Officer of Lapu-Lapu City, provided the islands of Caubian, Caohagan and Pangan-an with handheld radio as a back-up to their mobile phones.

Food packs are ready,  and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Rescue Team which trained 45 rescuers in Lapu-Lapu City will stay to help even if the 11-day training is completed./ DORIS C. BONGCAC,  JOSE SANTINO S. BUNACHITA,  EDISON A. DELOS ANGELES, NORMAN V. MENDOZA AND ANIE M. PAUJANA