The mayor of Surigao City is asking for aid amid the onslaught of typhoon Odette where one reportedly died.
“Wala rin kaming communication, but meron pong isang report, which they have to verify it ‘no na natabunan daw ng mga debris,” Mayor Ernesto Matugas told TeleRadyo.
Matugas noted that the province made all needed preparations to avoid any casualty.
“Sa tingin ko rin, naka-prepare kami. Hindi pa namin alam kung talagang gaano karami ang casualty namin, pero dito sa city, marami kaming niligtas na mga buhay.”
Matugas asks for help for his constituents, adding Surigao City was “100 percent damaged.”
“Yes sa mga national agencies, please kailangan po namin ng inyong tulong, mga relief goods, help para sa mga clearing and pagbalik ng mga essential utilities dito po sa city. Talaga pong, halos nakikita ko, 100 percent ang pinsala.”
The mayor added, “Mostly lahat talaga may damage ‘no, wala nang bubong. Access sa road, mga landlside, until now we’re trying to check every area ‘no, kung ano yung mga damages.”
“But we really have to clear first the road. Para makapasok ang mga supplies o mga equipments ‘no. Kailangan talaga naming tulong.”
Typhoon Odette hits Surigao City; mayor asks for aid
Matugas said Surigao City needs all help available.
“Halos lahat ‘no, food, non-food-items, yeah rescue, clearing team, number one [yung] clearing team and mabalik agad yung communications.”
The mayor added Surigao City’s public market had been badly damaged by typhoon Odette.
“Isa rin yan sa badly damaged ‘no ang public market ng city, talagang malakas talaga ang hangin, I mean, yung talaga yung number one na nagliliparan ang mga bubong, yung mga yero.”
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Ricardo Jalad said they are verifying reports of a casualty in northern Mindanao due to the wrath of Odette.
“Kahapon merong initial na report kahapon ng hapon na merong unang casualty, isang tao na nabgasakan ng puno sa dyan sa southern Mindanao. But yan ay unofficial report.”
Jalad said the total damage report caused by typhoon Odette would be released this week.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.