By Cheryl A. Galili
A 60-YEAR old woman farmer drowned trying to save a carabao, while nearly a thousand families were evacuated in Barangay Abaroan in Roxas town, northern Palawan, due to typhoon Butchoy, according to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) of the provincial government.
The fatality was identified as Moreta Casa, a resident of the said barangay. Reports claimed she drowned at the Abaroan river last week as she was saving a carabao she uses to farm a small plot of land.
The displaced families, on the other hand, were recorded from barangays New Cuyo, Magara, Tagumpay, San Jose, Nicolas, Tumarbong, Sandoval, Retac and Magara. Initially, more than 400 packs of food have distributed by the municipal government of Roxas for the affected families.
Aside from Casa, no one else was reported dead due to Butchoy.
The PDCC has warned residents living near mountain slopes and rivers to evacuate immediately during the rainy season to avoid being seriously affected come rainy season. It said that the rainy season has already started and people should secure themselves away from where dangers due to typhoons can happen.
Rice fields in New Cuyo, as well as in other barangays, according to the PDCC, have been destroyed by floods caused by Butchoy’s heavy rains. Farm animals were also killed causing people to lose their sources of income in Roxas.
Verifications are now being made by the PDCC to respond satisfactorily to the problems of the victims of Butchoy in Roxas. Once this has been done, it said the right kind of help they need can be provided.
