Several images show the damage in Mandaue City, Cebu caused by Typhoon Tino. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Residents affected by Typhoon Tino in Mandaue City, Cebu could not help but express their frustration over what they claim as the lack of government assistance.
In Purok Tambis, Barangay Umapad — a community near the Butuanon River that overflowed — residents are appealing for help, saying they have not received any relief goods and have nothing left to eat.
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Seventy-one-year-old cancer patient Corazon Lacson lamented that aside from the difficult task of cleaning homes buried in mud, they are now struggling with the lack of food and clean drinking water.
“Wala ka naman magawa kung hindi kikilos, wala ka makuhan ng tulong, ang hirap talaga, ewan ko kung saan ngayon ang mga konsehal at yung mayor, saan na ngayon sila? Kahit isa walang nagpakita sa amin,” Lacson said.
Almost all the houses in Purok Tambis were submerged in floodwaters and thick mud, with debris such as fallen wood scattered around.
Residents are also having a hard time finding water to clean their mud-covered belongings and homes.
Michael Guinto, another resident, said they also have yet to feel any assistance from the government. To earn some money for food, he scavenges for scrap metal and other items he can sell.
“Sana may magdo-donate lang kahit relief goods, hindi namin kailangan ng pera sir, iyahay na lang kami ng diskarte kung saan kami makakain,“ Guinto said.
“Kung hindi kami makakain patay kami,” he added.
Cebu under state of calamity anew in aftermath of 'Tino'
In Barangay Paknaan, another community heavily affected by the overflow of the Butuanon River, residents are also appealing for food and clean water.
However, the local government denied accusations that no help has reached the typhoon victims.
Due to the large number of evacuees, officials admitted that there was a shortage of relief goods, and blocked roads filled with debris made distribution even more difficult.
Gonzalo Malig-On Jr., Mandaue City Administrator, said the city has already addressed the issue.
The Mandaue City government is expected to declare a state of calamity on Thursday.
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