Malinao municipality still coping with typhoon aftermath

FILE: DEVASTATIONS IN TRAVESIA AND SAN FRANCISCO, GUINOBATAN, ALBAY DUE TO INTENSE LAHAR FLOW FROM THE SLOPES OF MAYON VOLCANO BROUGHT BY TYPHOON ROLLY #RollyPH (Photo: Congressman Fernando “Didi” Tibor Cabredo/Facebook)

MANILA – The municipality of Malinao in Albay continues to cope with the aftermath of the recent typhoons, Mayor Lenybelle Santos said on Friday.

“Medyo nakakapag-adjust na po ang Malinaonon sa nagdaan pong mga bagyo and continue naman po ang pagsuporta ng lokal na gobyerno para po dito po sa amin sa Banwaa ng Malinao (Malinaonons are currently adjusting to the impact of the typhoons with continuous support coming from the local government of Malinao),” Santos said in a virtual presser.

She said donations and other support have poured in but some residents continue to stay in several daycare centers, barangay halls, and evacuation centers because their houses were destroyed.

Apart from in-kind donations, Santos said the local government would need construction materials for the repair of damaged houses.

She said local government units (LGUs), government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other private organizations have been helping Malinao residents deal with the aftermath of the calamities.

“Marami naman pong mga different government agencies and NGOs na talaga pong umaalalay po sa amin dito pero kahit po marami po sila, medyo malaki po kasi talaga ang damage sa amin dito sa Malinao (Various government agencies and NGOs have been supporting us here but the damage here in Malinao is massive),” Santos said.

The area’s disaster response teams were still clearing roads while irrigation systems were being repaired.

To date, power in the municipality has yet to be restored, she said.

To hasten rehabilitation and help the locals recover, Santos said the local government continues the cash-for-work program.

“May mga pina-prioritize tayong mga pamilya na alam po natin ay walang pinagkukunan ng pang-araw-araw po nila (We are prioritizing families who don’t have daily income),” she said.

Santos added that the local government has ensured that minimum health standards are strictly observed during the provision of assistance to typhoon-hit residents to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

On the other hand, she said the local government is eyeing to construct a permanent relocation site for typhoon-affected residents.

“Dahil every time po na may bagyo ay nag-i-evacuate po kami ng nasa coastal area. Taun-taon na lang po ay iyan ang nagiging problema namin (Because every time there is a typhoon, we evacuate our constituents in the coastal area. Every year, that is our problem),” she said.

Santos appealed to the national government and various government agencies to help them in the relocation of those residing in the coastal areas.