LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A restaurant here is sheltering people affected by flooding caused by tropical storm Kristine’s intense rains.
A RESTAURANT in Legazpi City is serving as shelter for people displaced by tropical storm Kristine. (Photo courtesy of Hisham Ismail)
Barangay captain and Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay ex-officio Hisham Ismail, owner of Sitti's Restaurant, said that at least 400 individuals from Barangay 18 and other areas of this province have sought refuge in his establishment.
Ismail said they were given free food, coffee, water, and clothes.
"Libre po ang pagkain, coffee, tubig, at saka mga dry shirts. Hindi lang mga taga rito sa aming barangay kundi may mga taga-Daraga at iba pang bayan. Sila yung mga pauwi na pero na-stranded dahil walang masakyan," he said.
(Food, coffee, water, and dry shirts are free not just for people in our barangay but also for those from Daraga and other towns who are stranded)
Some private establishments such as malls, schools, universities, churches, and homeowners have also sheltered evacuees.
Torrential rain and strong winds from Kristine have been lashing the Bicol region for the past 24 hours, resulting into floods in areas such as Naga City.
People have turned to Facebook and social media for assistance as local rescuers are reportedly overwhelmed by the situation.