In Cagayan, a good samaritan opens her doors to evacuees affected by flood

A good samaritan in Cagayan opened the doors of her home to those affected by the flood due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

Vernalyn Amarillo did not just provide temporary shelter to victims who lost their homes, she's also been feeding them hearty meals as they recover from the disaster.

In an interview with Ivan Mayrina and Pia Arcangel on GMA News Live TV, Vernalyn said there are about 20 evacuees inside her home.

"Ang sa 'kin naman po, since hindi naman po ako naapektohan ng bagyo totally o nung baha. Wala din po kasi silang titirahan gusto ko lang din pong makatulong so kahit papano po alam ko po kasi yung wala pong matitirhan," she said during the interview.

Vernalyn said the money she used to help the victims came from her own pocket with additional donations from those who want to help.

She said some rescuers and volunteers are also temporarily staying inside her home.

The Batanes native said this is not the first time she lent out a helping hand, but it was her first time to do it in Cagayan, where she has been living for 12 years already. 

Vernalyn said she is a single mother living with her two children and her sibling. She said she is working as a branch manager of a real estate company and she also has her own

She said her home is still open for volunteers and rescuers who don't have a place to stay.

Aside from opening her home to those in need, Vernalyn is also continuously doing rounds in Cagayan to distribute relief goods.

She said she has a fund drive where people can donate P20 to help with their relief operations. Vernalyn said they are planning to extend help in all municipalities in Cagayan.

Several barangays in Cagayan province and in Tuguegarao City remain flooded on Sunday due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

However, the floodwaters are slowly subsiding, according to disaster risk reduction and management officials.

At least 37 people have died and 15 are missing in five regions affected by Typhoon Ulysses, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News