Virac, Catanduanes appealed for rehabilitation aid from the national government following the onslaught and severe impact of Typhoon Pepito in their area.
"Sana bigyan din sana ng pansin in terms of rehabilitation kasi normally ‘pag walang patay, ‘di naman nagbibigay masyado ng [tulong] ang gobyerno. Nawawala tayo sa mapa," Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes said in an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Monday.
"Sana in terms of rehabilitation, dapat ilagay naman sa mapa. Kailangan din naming matulungan ‘yung mga eskwelahan, ang daming sira. ‘Yung mga kalye, nasira," he added.
Laynes added that, apart from food, the people in their town will need assistance with repairing homes and infrastructure, anticipating that many will experience delays in their livelihoods.
He affirmed that, so far, there have been no casualties in Virac, citing the local government's pre-disaster and resiliency programs as the reason, which have now become a fundamental part of the community's culture.
"The only problem is hindi tayo napapahayag sa dyaryo kasi normally sa media, nakikita lang ang lugar kung maraming patay," said Laynes.
He said that when they announce the need to evacuate, everyone evacuates.
However, according to Laynes, relief assistance should not be given only to those whose homes were damaged; everyone needs support.
The mayor mentioned that many of the sturdier homes in the area are also serving as evacuation centers.
Laynes hopes for a comprehensive approach to address such situations, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in ensuring that people have the means to sustain themselves and access food.
"Sana maiparating natin sa mahal na Pangulo na sana magkaroon tayo ng magandang – not necessarily mabigyan lang natin ng relief but [also] paano makatayo ‘yung tao afterwards," he added.
The entire province of Catanduanes was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 before the Super Typhoon struck the area on Saturday night, November 16.
