A number of tourists who were stranded during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette shared their experience in Siargao island which was completely devastated by the typhoon.
Some of the many tourists took chances to get out of the island and several others were aboard a commercial flight to return to Metro Manila.
“Dec. 11 to 16 lang po kasi kami dapat doon, so nag-ano po — stranded kami ng 16 dahil nga saktong-sakto ng bagyo,” tourist Barbie Liwag said.
“Kung hindi pa po kami makikipagsapalaran, tatagal po kami ng hanggang January. Doon na kami magpapasko at bagong taon kasi sobrang hirap po,” she added.
She said other tourists individually hired boats regardless of the fare to leave the island and move to Butuan. However, many travelers remain stranded and are in need of help.
The residents in the island were not spared from the same plight.
Another set of tourists set there were looting incidents before they left, noting that the supply of hygiene products was getting low.
“The most important resources that are not available are food and water. Also, because the water was getting scarce already, there was like, different kinds of looting,” Leo Barre said.
In Dinagat Island where the typhoon made another landfall, strong winds and rains were also felt, leaving many houses roofless, fallen trees, and severely damaged infrastructures.
The tourists hope that areas affected by the typhoon will recover soon, and that sharing their stories is another way to raise awareness for the assistance to the people in need right now. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG-rir
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