Cagayan, Isabela residents scramble for food dropped from choppers

Residents of Cagayan and Isabela who survived the massive flooding caused by Typhoon Ulysses scrambled towards a Philippine National Police chopper that dropped off relief goods in a muddy field.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s “24 Oras” report on Monday, 45 barangays in Isabela are still isolated after floodwaters left thick layers of mud.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 2 airlifted relief goods to isolated areas, sending starving residents running to be first to get supplies.

The typhoon survivors did not mind running over mud just to make their way to the chopper, which merely hovered over the ground as it was unable to land.

There was a similar relief drop-off in Enrile, Cagayan, where 16 barangays remained isolated.

“‘Di kayang dalhin ng mga truck saka ng other water assets na masyadong malayo. Talagang kailangan i-airlift,” PRO 2 chief Brigadier General Aldy Nieves said.

An aerial inspection of flooded areas also found that several residents were still on their rooftops.

“‘Pag may mga tao sa bubong, immediately aaksyon. Rescue them and transfer them to the second floor ng mga bahay na may second floor,” Mayor Miguel Decena said.

Ulysses claimed at least 67 lives, according to the national disaster management council. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News