Even without electricity in some towns, usual food fare, and shelter, thousands of displaced evacuees and Palaweños affected by Typhoon Odette still found a way to celebrate Christmas
If it weren’t for the non-stop donation drives and help pouring from stakeholders from both public and private sectors, according to Reymart Laya, 27, said that they might not have a special Noche Buena meal.
Their home and his small salon in Barangay Tinitian, Roxas town were completely destroyed during the onslaught of the said storm. All of them, just like the situation of most displaced families in the northern town is sheltered in a relative’s house right now.
He said that they managed to pack some of their clothes after the storm, and slept in the crowded evacuation center for days using carton boxes as beddings.
According to data from the Palawan Provincial Office (PIO), Roxas has the most affected families, estimating around 22,000 households. The death toll remains at eight and five were reported missing, the local municipal government informed.
The Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) estimated that around 70-80% of infrastructures and agricultural fields have been devastated in the aftermath of the said typhoon.
Last week, during the regular session of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acting governor Dennis M. Socrates declared the state of calamity allowing the use of P36.4 million provincial calamity fund for the initial rehabilitation, food, and medical health kit donations for most northern towns including San Vicente, Roxas, and Araceli.
Clearing operations in these towns are still ongoing until now. Some southern towns including Narra have also sent most of their MDRRMO staff to spend their Christmas helping out kababayans in the north.
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