Govt to ship Yolanda survivors in Tacloban to three cities for free

(Updated 5:42 p.m.) The government will provide free bus and ship rides to ferry survivors of super typhoon Yolanda with relatives living near Manila, Cebu and Davao out of Tacloban City in Leyte, one of the areas worst hit by the recent weather disturbance.

 

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has already issued an order for agencies under his department to focus on transporting people with loved ones in these areas out of Tacloban "to lessen the tension and pressure" in the storm-hit city, Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin said.

 

"Inatasan lahat ng agencies under DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] to prioritize movement ng tao out of Tacloban. Dahil po sa hirap ng situation sa Tacloban, may mga taga-Tacloban na gustong umalis ng area at pumunta sa mga kamag-anak nila sa Cebu, Davao at Maynila," Lantin said in phone interview aired on GMA News TV's News To Go.

 

He added that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already been directed to provide free buses for Yolanda survivors who want to go to Manila, Cebu and Davao via the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships.

 

A separate "News To Go" report likewise said that the LTFRB has also been authorized to issue special permits for bus companies that want to add trips to Tacloban to their normal routes.

 

Lantin likewise said the Philippine Coast Guard, which is also under the DOTC, will deploy a large vessel to ship people out of Tacloban City.

 

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has also called on commercial shipping companies to provide free rides to transport people out of Tacloban City. Two shipping firms have agreed to help in these efforts, Lantin said.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will take charge of making sure that those who will be given free rides have relatives in their destinations, he added.

 

In a separate phone interview, the DOTC assistant secretary likewise said that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have asked Philippine Airlines to add flights to Tacloban City.

 

"Hopefully, kung ano man ang magiging kakulangan natin sa flights, masolusyonan naman through land transport and sea transport," Lantin said.

 

Thousands of people who survived the recent super typhoon are reportedly scrambling to get tickets out of the Tacloban City airport, which has limited operations as of posting time. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News