Odette’s wrath kills 50 in Bohol; residents clamor for water, food

Residents in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, line up their containers at a water refilling station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Bohol has no power and water service after super typhoon Odette devastated Bohol province. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines — Boholanos are asking for help as the province remains without power following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, which left 50 people dead here.

Without power, electric pumps could not run to supply water to the households.

Residents carrying their containers waited for hours outside the refilling stations which increased their price slightly to cover the cost of generator sets.

Long lines were also seen along Lamdagan and Gallares Streets in the capital city of Tagbilaran where a firetruck was stationed to give out free water.

A firetruck was also deployed in Garcia Park near the Provincial Capitol.

One of those lining up was Lito Alagadmo, 44, who endured the long wait to get water.

“Tubig maoy importante sa karun (Water is more important now),” he said.

Water and food were also a problem in Ubay town, the hardest-hit town in Bohol where Odette made a landfall.

Joshua Cadenas, a 36-year-old resident of Ubay, said he was looking for water and food for his two children aged 7 and 8.

Some staffers and volunteers of the office of Bohol Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado who were already at the area gave limited noodles and bottled waters.

A staffer identified as Michelle said relief goods were not able to reach Ubay town on Thursday afternoon since roads were unpassable due to fallen trees and electric poles.

Eight people died in Ubay — among the 50 fatalities in Bohol.

The rest were in President Carlos P. Garcia and Loon towns with five each; Inabanga and Catigbian towns with four each; three each in Valencia, Alicia and Tubigon; two each in Batuan, Antequera, Maribojoc, Calape and Jagna towns; and one each in Lila, Pilar, Talibon, Loboc and Candijay.

ATM