Local governments spared by typhoon send aid to Southern Luzon

Local governments in Central Visayas and Bulacan province are readying supplies and relief items for families, as well as equipment for use in search and retrieval operations in Bicol region and other provinces in Southern Luzon that were ravaged by Typhoon “Rolly” (international name: Goni).

About 100 policemen are set to leave the Visayas once the equipment and goods are gathered, according to Police Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Central Visayas police based in Cebu City. The police augmentation team will stay in Bicol for at least a week.

“Thank God, there has been no much damage in Cebu. That is why we [from Cebu] should help Bicolanos,” Ferro said.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan are sending food, water, clothes and other essential items to Bicol.

“It is during these difficult times that we must show solidarity with other provinces,” Ongchuan said.

In Bulacan, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office began coordinating efforts to send aid to the hardest-hit communities, especially in Albay province.

Gratitude

“We will send help to Albay as one way of expressing our gratitude for being spared from the supertyphoon,” Gov. Daniel Fernando said.

Despite the minimal impact of Rolly on Bulacan, at least 451 families (1,521 people) in the province remained in evacuation centers due to rains dumped by Typhoons “Pepito” and “Quinta” last month.

The torrential rains also raised the elevation in Ipo, Bustos and Angat dams, all in Bulacan. On Monday, Ipo and Bustos dams, which catch runoff water from Angat Dam, continued to release water after their stock reached spilling levels.

The level at Angat Dam was 201.91 meters above sea level on Monday afternoon, 10 m lower than its spilling mark.

—Nestle Semilla, Joey Gabieta and Carmela Reyes-Estrope