Catanduanes residents recount narrow escape from death amid Rolly’s onslaught

Several residents of Catanduanes, one of the hardest hit areas by Typhoon Rolly, recalled on Tuesday their narrow escape from death as they moved to evade fast rising flood waters and raging winds.

According to Ian Cruz’ report on “24 Oras,” 65 percent of houses and a number of other buildings in the province were ravaged by Rolly.

Annielo Odal and her family, who reside near the Gogon River, were protected from the harsh winds by their concrete house but were not spared from the flood.

“Ang problem, ‘yung tubig nakikita namin pataas nang pataas. ‘Pag diyan kami umakyat sa ceiling, wala na talaga, wala na kaming lulusutan,” Odal recalled.

“Ta’s sabi ng anak ko do’n sa asawa ko, ‘Daddy make a hole, kailangan natin lumabas dito. Lipat tayo nang makalabas tayo dito,’” she added.

Concepcion Publico from Bato, where the typhoon made its first landfall early Sunday morning, said she was thankful for her “second life” after being weighed down by debris from a nearby construction site.

“Sabi ng mga anak ko, lakasan ko na lang daw ang loob ko kasi mabuti na buhay pa kami. Kasi kung talagang ano, ‘yung tubo diyan, puwede na akong mamatay,” she said.

Publico’s home was totally wrecked by the typhoon’s onslaught.

“Sana lang matulungan lang kami, humaba pa rin kaunti ang buhay ko… Siguro binigyan pa naman ako ng Panginoon na mabuhay,” she said.

Carla Borja was in tears as she stood on the ground where her house once was.

“Hindi ko po alam talaga. Wala na po. Parang nagblangko ‘yung utak ko,” she said. “Mahirap po e. Hindi ko alam paano magsimula. Walang mapagkukunan.”

Other residents, however, suffered a worse fate.

Father and daughter Mario and Mikaela Jacob were not able to escape the rising waters from the Gogon River.

Relatives said Mario wanted to rescue his daughter, who was in their house when Rolly struck.

Governor Joseph Cua said provincial authorities will try to help residents rebuild their homes but stressed that food is the priority.

“Unang una siyempre ‘yung pagkain muna. Ilang percent pa lang ang nabibigyan natin ng relief kasi impassable nga ‘yung ibang town and ibang barangay,” he said.

“‘Yung problema pa sa pagpaayos ng bahay nila, kung saan siyempre unang unang focus natin, ‘yung pagkain muna, pero ‘yung sa mga materials na puwedeng ma-restore kaagad ang bahay nila ay medyo hirap na hirap pa tayo,” Cua added.

Rolly is no longer affecting the Philippines and is expected to exit the country’s area of responsibility on Tuesday. 

The national disaster management council said at least 17 people died from the powerful storm. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News