CAGAYAN, Philippines – Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) ravages the city of Tuguegarao, forcing the city government to declare a state of calamity.
Residents in evacuation centers are in need of food, shelter, and clothing.
Mara Cepeda reports. – Rappler.com
This is the Office of Civil Defense Region 2 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
Not even the OCD building escaped the wrath of Typhoon Lawin, as the rain and strong winds broke the windows and destroyed furniture.
Officials are forced to set up headquarters in a nearby hotel.
National and local officials visit the region to check the damage left behind by Typhoon Lawin.
As of October 21, more than 12,000 families are affected by the typhoon in Cagayan, Isabela, and Quirino.
Tuguegarao is under a state of calamity.
Among those left homeless is the family of Soraya Usman, a mother to 4 children.
They are staying at the Centro 10 People's Gym, the command center for the city.
SORAYA USMAN, TYPHOON LAWIN VICTIM: It's hard because we don’t know when our house would be rebuilt so we're staying here temporarily.
RAPPLER: Until when do you plan to stay here?
SORAYA USMAN, TYPHOON LAWIN VICTIM: We don't know because someone is supposed to donate the roof for our house. But of course that won't be built right away. It might take a month. I’m not sure.
She is wondering how to provide for her children.
SORAYA USMAN, TYPHOON LAWIN VICTIM: We need clothes – that's what my children really want. And, of course, food is the most important.
Precy Delmonte is more concerned about shelter and livelihood.
PRECY DELMONTE, TYPHOON LAWIN VICTIM: I'm thinking about where to sleep, where my husband and I would be working because we're both jobless after the typhoon.
A city councilor says the local government is shouldering 90% of the relief goods so far.
But more are coming in from both the public and private sectors.
RAYMOND DE GUZMAN, COUNCILOR, TUGUEGARAO CITY: We will be giving financial assistance for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the poorest of the poor.
Despite the wake of destruction left behind by Typhoon Lawin, residents here are positive they would be able to recover.
SORAYA USMAN, TYPHOON LAWIN VICTIM: We are always praying to our Allah. We will rise up from this. What's important is that our family is complete.
They say that resiliency lives in the Filipino spirit even in times of disaster. For the people of Tuguegarao, there is hope after the typhoon.
Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Cagayan.