ILOILO – The northern coastal towns of Estancia and Concepcion also face food shortage due to the suspension of sea travel in the past few days.
Concepcion mayor Raul Banias said residents have been asking for help since retailers no longer have the merchandise to sell. They were unable to shop in urban centers to replenish basic commodities.
“The families in the islands complain that they do not have food to buy,” Banias told Panay News.
According to him, 11 barangays of the coastal municipality with 4,500 families experience food shortage as Carles town, which has already been placed under a state of calamity.
“We have 11 island barangays. All this islands have about 20,000 individuals or 4,500 families affected by the bad weather, hungry because they cannot buy food. They only buy food in the mainland in the town but all passenger boats are not allowed by coast guard to travel because of gale warning,” he said.
Banias added: “Ang resulta wala sang income ang mga residente rason nga wala sila sang ibakal sang ila pagkaon kag bisan may kwarta pa sila, wala man sila sang baklan matapos nga nagakaubos naman ang unod sang mga tiangge sa island barangays kag indi man sila makatabok sa mainland ukon Poblacion bangod nga wala sang nagabiyahe nga sakayan.”
He said Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on Friday pledged to send food packs the following day.
“We are also waiting the assistance given by Gov. Toto Defensor through Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office para ma-repack namon kag ma-deploy to the islands because they are in dire need for food assistance,” Banias added.
In Estancia, meanwhile, three island barangays – Bayas, Manipulon and Loguingot – were affected by the inclement weather.
Although the coastal villages in the mainland were also affected by the poor weather, the mayor assured its 14 villages have enough food stock.
“We have responded (to the food needs) but we are awaiting rice and other food from the province. When they arrive, our municipal social welfare and development office will immediately repack and deliver them to other islands,” Banias said.
Meanwhile, residents of the islands stuck in the mainland have been taken care of by the local government unit. “We have given them food provisions,” added Banias./PN
