Sorsogon evacuees still reeling from trauma caused by Yolanda

Video by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MATNOG, Sorsogon—A year after she survived the wrath of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) the trauma brought by the typhoon still haunts Henedina Garlan.

Garlan is among the hundreds of residents who were evacuated to a church in Matnog town proper due to the threats posed by Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit).

“Our house was heavily devastated by Yolanda. It was frightening. That’s why when there is a typhoon, we immediately evacuate,” the 45-year old mother said.

But unlike Garlan, 76-year-old Adelfa Belir refused to heed the forced evacuation implemented by the local government.

Belir lives with her children in the coastal town of barangay (village) Caloocan in Matnog.

“Sanay na ako. Nung bagyong Yolanda, dito lang ako sa loob ng bahay (I am used to it already. When Yolanda struck, I was just inside my house),” she said, citing it is difficult to live in evacuation centers.

But Mayor Emilio Ubaldo said police would force the residents to evacuate.

“I have ordered the police to use force for residents who don’t want to evacuate,” Ubaldo said, adding that forced evacuation has been implemented in Matnog.

The local government, he said, has prepared evacuation centers in its more than 20 coastal barangays.

He said relief goods are now ready for distribution to evacuees and police force are now also ready for emergency assistance.

As of Saturday afternoon, the entire province of Sorsogon was placed under public storm warning signal number three as Ruby moves closer to land.

As of posting time, Sorsogon province has been experiencing strong winds and heavy rains as Ruby is expected to make landfall in the Bicol region on Monday morning.

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