By Seth Cabanban
Typhoon “Maring” victims were relocated by the Pasig Local Government Unit (LGU) after their homes were washed away by floodwaters on Thursday, Oct. 14.
In a Facebook post, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto explained that long-time residents of Barangay Santolan living along Marikina River experienced severe flooding due to typhoon Maring.
The evacuees were relocated to housing units provided by the Pasig LGU in collaboration with the Pasig Urban Settlements Office (PUSO) the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Sotto said in his post that the provided housing units have low amortization costs and that the evacuees were also given financial assistance.
He also assured that these new housing units were inspected beforehand for electricity and running water before sending the evacuees there.
In his post, Sotto quoted one of the relocated community leaders as saying "Dati kami yung lumalaban at tumututol sa relokasyon. Ngayon kami na ang tumutulong para maipatupad ito (Before, we were the ones resisting relocation. Now, we are working to implement it).”
“Maring” has reportedly left as many as 30 dead, 15 missing, and 2,536 evacuated in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Region, and National Capital Region.