Evacuees at the Liloan National High School in Barangay Liloan, Ormoc City, Leyte. Robert Dejon, INQ Visayas
ORMOC CITY — Around 300 families in a resettlement site were evacuated as knee-high floodwaters hit the area on Sunday night.
At least 1,172 persons mostly from Block 20 of Tzu Chi Love City in Barangay Liloan are currently staying at the community hall, covered court and the Liloan National High School while waiting for the water to subside.
Ciriaco Tolibao Jr., city disaster risk reduction and management officer, explained that Block 20 at the Tzu Chi Love City, where the 1,565 families live, is the lowest portion of the resettlement area that is susceptible to floods during heavy rain.
The other portion of the relocation site has not been flooded.
Annalyn Dalut, a resident of Block 5, said the water had not swelled in their area but she chose to stay in the evacuation center to ensure their safety.
“We learned our lesson during typhoon Urduja when we almost got hurt in the flood because we didn’t heed to the advice of the barangay officials to evacuate,” she added. /kga