NegOr gov’t clearing roads to reach isolated barangays

Some roads in far-flung barangays in Negros Oriental are blocked and not passable making it difficult to deliver relief goods there.

Help had to be airlifted by the Armed Forces two weeks after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Feb. 6 as local officials try to clear farm-to-market roads.

In Guihulngan City, SOS signs printed on pieces of wood or tarpaulin sheets were hung outside some homes.

Guihulngan Mayor Ernesto Reyes appealed for more tents.

Reyes said he advised residents to stay in open spaces for safety especially since aftershocks were still felt in the city.

Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (Negros Oriental 1st district) on Wednesday said the clamor for relief goods was intense in the first few days only because stores weren’t opened yet.

“It was on the first two days na parang naging ghost town … Nobody would want to open stores,” she said.

She said relief goods were distributed to affected towns through designated gyms with municipal workers in charge.

She asked donors to course their contributions to the provincial, municipal government and the DSWD.

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said they were clearing blocked roads leading to these areas and tapping DSWD to also debrief earthquake victims.

The Cebu provincial government led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia gave financial assistance and sent heavy equipment to assist in rehabilitation and relief operations.

Eulogio Pelayre, Cebu provincial engineer, said at least five dump trucks would help in the distribution of relief goods and two backhoes would help repair roads and bridges in badly affected towns such as La Libertad.

Army soldiers continue to retrieve remains of victims in La Libertad.

La Libertad Mayor Lawrence Limkaichong said 41 people were still missing after the earthquake hit and at least 60 houses were destroyed by last week’s earthquake.