Aid sent to hail-struck town

IT would take two to three days before electric power is fully restored to barangay Lamac in Pinamungajan town following Thursday’s hailstorm and whirlwind, local officials said.

Barangay Lamac captain Maria Flores Cantero said they would tap the barangay’s calamity funds to help residents rebuild their homes and conduct disaster awareness seminars.

It was the first time Cebu experienced a hail storm, according to the weather bureau in Mactan.

Lumps of ice rained for almost an hour in at least three rural barangays of the midwest town, accompanied by strong winds that tore off roofs, toppled big trees and destroyed 10 houses and damaged almost 200 others.

“As of today, we need to prioritize helping our residents,” she said.

Cantero said displaced residents would prefer to stay with their relatives’ houses than stay at the barangay’s sports center.

Power was shut down after several posts fell during the hail storm.

As of Friday night, clearing operations in the area was completed, said captain Ian Andres Fabellon, spokesman of the army’s 78th Infantry Battalion.

In a phone interview yesterday, Fabellon said two companies of the 78th IB were sent to the area to assist residents in rebuilding their homes.

Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha set up a distribution area at the barangay’s gym while the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) office had a separate distribution area at the Lamac Elementary School.

The Toledo city government also sent a van with personnel to help in the relief operations.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu City’s 3rd district also visited the area with his wife, Karen, chief of staff Glen Baricuatro and his other staff last Friday.

The congressman said he was thankful there were no deaths in the aftermath of the hailstorm and the whirlwind that hit the three barangays of Pinagmungajan.

He said his office will extend financial assistance to the affected families.

“We’re only waiting on the PSWD for their assessment and list so we can give them the assistance,” he said. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus