LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Former Vice President Leni Robredo and the city government of Naga have reiterated their plea for assistance as flood caused by tropical storm "Kristine" swamped the city on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Robredo reiterated the need for trucks to carry stranded residents from their homes to safety.
She also called on restaurants, hotels, and carinderias with functional kitchens in the area to help.
Naga Mayor Son Legacion said trucks are urgently needed for rescue operations.
Legacion said the city’s rescue operations are overwhelmed by the rising floodwaters caused by Kristine.
He asked for trucks from the government and private sector that can navigate flood water three to six feet deep.
If you have vehicles capable of assisting in these conditions, please proceed immediately to the Incident Management Team at the Public Safety Office, City Hall Compound, he said.
"Your help can save lives. Let’s come together as a community and support our rescue efforts. Time is critical."
Photos online showed the city submerged in deep floodwater.
People have turned to Facebook and social media for assistance as local rescuers are reportedly overwhelmed by the situation.
Shelter
A restaurant here is sheltering people affected by flooding caused by 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.