To the City of Baybay, headed by Hon. Jose Carlos L. Cari, Vice Mayor Atty. Ernesto M. Butawan and the Sangguniang Panlungsod Members – Thank you! This is what the survivors of TS Agaton could say after they were relocated to the Temporary Shelters constructed for them by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), with the help of the Philippine Army (PA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). They said that they are still blessed because despite the tragedy they had gone through, they are now given the chance to start a new life.
It could be recalled that Fr. Hope Lambonao led the blessing of the initial forty temporary shelters in Barangay Maganhan this morning (August 9, 2022). This was attended by Sangguniang Panlungsod Members Hon. Jorge Rebucas, Hon. Ramon Ronald Veloso, and Hon. Dominic Junie Murillo. Also in attendance during the said activity were City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Patrick Postrero, City Engineer Engr. Ranulfo Tagolgol, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Engr. Rhyse Austero and representatives of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police.
After the blessing, the Head of the Institutional Services of the Leyte Electric Cooperative (LEYECO IV) Ms. Janice Bisnar and Mayor Cari led the Lights-on of the said housing units. Ms. Bisnar revealed that it was the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) which facilitated all the documents related to the electricity of the housing units. But according to City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Patrick Postrero, each housing unit was provided with a meter by the LEYECO IV and shall pay for their monthly consumption to the latter.
During the informal meeting with Punong Barangays Hon. Michelle D. Cipe of Barangay Kantagnos and Hon. Renato P. Magan of Barangay Maganhan, Mayor Cari said that the residents must learn to manage their waste to avoid health-related problems. They shall also undergo Training on Fire Safety and Fire Suppression the soonest possible time for protection against fire hazard. Mayor Cari added that a Tanod Post must also be constructed in the area, which will also serve as a meeting place and an area where visitors will be entertained by the residents. (Marissa M. Cano, City Information Officer, Baybay City, Leyte)
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