‘Yolanda’ survivors face relocation due to preparations for Pope Francis visit
Destroyed houses in the province of Tacloban. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Yolanda” victims from more than 250 families in Palo, Leyte will be displaced to give way to the preparations for the papal visit of Pope Francis in January next year.
Palo town mayor Remedios Petilla confirmed this week that the 254 families in Baras, Candahug and San Fernando villages will be relocated to shelters constructed by Tzu Chi Foundation in Barangay (village) Caloogan.
“If the shelters from Tzu Chi are not yet ready, we will relocate them in Tacuranga in the meantime,” Petilla said.
The families are currently sheltered in government bunkhouses in barangay Caloogan that were constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Petilla said that livelihood opportunities will be provided to relocated families.
In an earlier interview, Palo Archbishop John Du said that the purpose of the papal visit to the country is to be with the poor.
“Yolanda” ravaged the country last November leaving 6,340 people dead and 1,061 still missing. The typhoon also brought P89,598,068,634.88 worth of damage to property.
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