Roxas tells local execs: Be firm, fast

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar—Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Friday called on local government officials to be firm in implementing the evacuation of coastal communities in Eastern Visayas as Typhoon “Ruby” moved closer to areas battered by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” a year ago.

Presiding over a meeting at the provincial capitol building, Roxas reminded officials to ensure that food items were already prepositioned near evacuation centers.

“We cannot let the people go hungry when food packs are already available. Make sure that rice and other relief goods are delivered without delay,” Roxas told the officials.

He ordered the local police chiefs and fire officials to make all their personnel available for possible forced evacuation of residents in danger zones.

“This is not an ordinary course of business for us. We should be more assertive of our authority,” Roxas said.

“We chose to be public servants. This is the time we prove that we’re sincere in our decision to provide public service.”

Roxas urged residents of coastal villages and flood-prone areas to leave their homes and evacuate to safer grounds.

“I’m sorry but we have to evacuate all the people [from coastal villages]. If their family members insist, only men would be allowed to stay to watch over their homes,” Roxas said.

The Archdiocese of Borongan has ordered Catholic churches in Eastern Samar to open their doors to evacuees.

Since Friday morning, at least 300 individuals had been occupying the hallways and some of the rooms of the provincial capitol building.

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