Overcrowding, hygiene top concerns of Talisay city

Overcrowding, damage to school property  and personal hygiene are major concerns for the Talisay City government after nearly all of the city’s evacuation centers were filled to capacity last Friday evening in anticipation of the arrival of supertyphoon Ruby.

“We’ve received reports that some children defecate just anywhere without their parents knowing,” Talisay City Hall information officer Vince Monterde said.

Monterde said teams were sent to check on the evacuation centers and to remind the evacuees to observe proper behavior.

He said he also received complaints about the destruction of books and educational materials in schools.  “I am asking the hosts to be patient. Anyway, the evacuees won’t be staying for long,” he said.

Coastal barangays

Evacuation centers consist of typhoon-resilient schools, gymnasiums, barangay halls and churches.

Talisay City Hall was forced to open its doors to evacuees last Friday evening when other evacuation centers could no longer accommodate people.  As of yesterday morning, 102 families or 378 persons are staying at Talisay City Hall.

Monterde said the 102 families from the city’s coastal barangays were no longer accommodated at the San Roque Elementary School.  He said they sleep on mats on the floor of the Talisay City Hall building lobby.

He said they are also feeding the 102 families while the City Social Welfare Office coordinates with the other barangays to provide for the other evacuees. About 3,187 persons are accommodated in various evacuation sites in the barangays.

Talisay National High school houses more than 650 families while Cansojong National High School shelters 1,556 persons or 204 families.