‘Heartbreaking,’ VP Leni says of landslide scenes in Bicol

Vice President Leni Robredo described as “heartbreaking” the scenes of destruction that she saw during her visit to the area of the landslides in Sagñay town, Camarines Sur.

“Mayroong mga buong pamilya nawala. Mayroong pamilyang malaki, isa lang iyong natira, dalawa lang iyong natira (There were whole families who disappeared; or only one or two members were left behind),” Robredo said in a transcript released by her office on her trip to her home province.

“Tapos iyong pinakamahirap sa lahat, hindi nga nila alam kung ano iyong babalikan nila. Hindi lang iyong bahay iyong nawala, hindi lang iyong buhay ng kapamilya, pati hanapbuhay (The hardest part of all, is that they don’t know what to return to. Not only were their houses lost but also the lives of their families and livelihood),” she said.

A native of Bicol, Robredo inspected the extent of the damage of the landslides at Barangay Patitian in Sagñay town, Camarines Sur that happened in the aftermath of Typhoon “Usman.”

The Vice President checked on the ongoing rescue operations and situation of the affected families to determine how her office can help them.

The surviving victims of the landslides are in dire need of assistance so they can start rebuilding their lives, she said.

Robredo then called for a long-term approach in addressing calamities that hit Camarines Sur, like the typhoon that caused the massive landslides.

“Kaya siguro ang hanapin, mas permanente nang solusyon. Baka hindi na talaga puwedeng patirahan doon sa area kasi delikado na masyado,” Robredo said after she visited Sitio Igot.

Robredo, the leader of the opposition, said there were 30 people who died and 16 remain missing at the landslide area.

The Vice President advised residents displaced by the landslides that they should not return to their respective homes.

“Siguro ngayon, kailangan puwersahin na hindi na pabalikin, kasi tala- gang hindi worth ng buhay nila iyong pagpunta. Pinuntahan ko iyong lugar. Maraming mga lugar doon iyong guho na iyong ilalim, hindi na talaga siya fit para tirhan pa (For now, it should be enforced that they do not return because I saw the destruction and it is not safe),” she said.

After inspection, Robredo turned over 834 food packs consist of rice, canned goods, and noodles from Angat Buhay partners to the Patitian village chief and gave cash assistance for affected families.

The Vice President also lauded the sacrifices of the soldiers and public works personnel deployed since December 30 for the rescue operations.

Camarines Sur has been placed under a state of calamity, along with Albay and Sorsogon, following the onslaught of Typhoon "Usman."