Ulysses sends some Tumauini, Isabela families camping on highway

Several residents affected by the flooding in Tumauini, Isabela due to Typhoon Ulysses have been camping out by the roadside for four nights already and are appealing for help.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on Balitanghali on Monday, the affected residents of Barangay San Mateo have been sleeping along Maharlika Highway -- some under borrowed tents, some on cartons and used tarpaulins, all depending on the kindness of passing motorists for their meals.

“Mas maganda po kasi ‘pag dito lang. Mas malapit sa bahay po namin kaysa pupunta pa kami sa malayo,” a resident said.

The residents claimed they are not receiving enough relief goods from the local government.

For his part, Tumauini Mayor Arnold Bautista said the families camping along the highway were those who refused to go to evacuation centers.

“Pabalik-balik kaming kunin sila para dalhin sa evacuation center. Ayaw nila dahil may mga baka sila, mga baboy na ayaw nilang iwan,” Bautista said in an interview on Balitanghali.

He also said the local government has been distributing relief among the residents staying along the roadside.

“Nagbibigay po kami… Ako mismo namimigay. Siguro hindi lang nila nakikita dahil naka-face mask tayo. Ayaw ko namang i-publicize ‘yong pamimigay ko kaya tuloy-tuloy lang kami ng pamimigay kasama ‘yong mga body guards ko,” he said.

Moreover, Bautista said he already ordered barangay officials to ensure the observance of minimum health standards among the evacuees, including those on the highway, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ayaw talaga nilang iwan kahit buhatin ko sila, ayaw nilang iwan ‘yong mga baka nila kasi baka mawala so ang ginagawa namin, sinu-supplyan namin sila. Binibigyan namin sila ng pang-breakfast, pang-meryenda, mga relief assistance para matugunan namin ‘yong pangunahing pangangailangan nila,” he said. —KBK, GMA News