Orderly relief efforts lifting Samar town from Yolanda aftermath

In the town of Basey in typhoon-hit Samar province, residents properly lined up to receive their ration of relief packs brought by the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD)—a refreshing view in a government operation marred by confusion and disorder.

“Kaninang madaling araw lang dumating 'yung relief goods galing sa DSWD central office. (It was coursed) through sa Bicol region,” said Mayor Junji Ponferrada in an interview on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” on Friday.

Ponferrada said the 4,000 relief packs intended for Basey residents would only be good for two days so they need to replenish them by Sunday.

“We are sure na sa pinadala sa ating relief ay ngayon at tsaka bukas (ay) makakakain 'yung mga residente natin dito,” he said.

Despite the destruction caused by the typhoon, a tragedy that sparked looting incidents in other affected areas, relief operations in Basey were described as orderly by GMA reporter Cedric Castillo, who was on the ground.

Castillo said representatives of each barangay lined up at the Basey town hall, claimed the relief goods, and distributed them to the affected residents in their respective areas.

The scene was a far cry from TV footage of looting and chaos blamed on lack of distibution channels of relief goods in other areas affected by the typhoon.

The “Balitanghali” report said authorities in Basey believe there wouldn't be any looting there as there was nothing to loot. Of the 51 barangays in Basey, 20 were totally devastated by Yolanda.

Bodies found

At the Basey town hall, which is serving as the command center of relief operations, volunteers conducting a medical mission spotted two bodies nearby.

One of the bodies was immediately retrieved while Metro Manila Development Authority personnel dug through rubble to recover the other one.

One of the cadavers was identified as Angelie Cagraboso by Teresita Sabangan, a resident who knew the victim.

“Nanawagan po ako sa magulang ni Angelie Cagraboso nandito sa Samar na namatay sa trahedya dito sa amin,” said Sabangan.

She said she tried to convince Cagraboso, who had just given birth 10 days before Yolanda struck Central Philippines, to evacuate but the victim declined and stayed in her home.

Ponferrada, meanwhile, appealed for more help.

“Kaya lang ang concentration siguro nila ngayon Tacloban City so ang ni-request ko kung puwede mabigyan naman po kami dito sa Basey dahil malaki rin yung pinsala sa 'min dito,” he said.

Yolanda is the second cyclone of super typhoon category to hit the Philippines this year. It is also the world's strongest typhoon of 2013 and is ranked fourth in the world's list of strongest typhoons. — Andrei Medina/KBK, GMA News