Quezon fishermen return to damaged houses, voice hope to build again

Some fishermen returned to their houses that were damaged following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Pepito and voiced hope that they would save enough money to build again.

In Jun Veneracion’s Monday report on "24 Oras," a portion of Pollilo in Quezon was flooded due to the storm surge.

An aerial view showed the damage caused by Pepito not only on Pollilo but also to the entire Jomalig Island.

Houses were also partially damaged in Buenavista.

“May nareport sa amin na minor damage sa school, partially and totally damaged na bahay kasi light materials. Roads, bridges okay sila. May na-mention na nasira na bangka,” said Quezon Governor Helen Tan.

(We received a report that a school had minor damage. Some houses were partially damaged while others were totally damaged since it was made of light materials. Roads and bridges were okay. A boat was also damaged.)

Roofs could have flown off if residents had not tied it to their houses.

“Kung wala, nagliparan po ang mga bubong. Yung bugso [ng hangin] ay malakas lakas din talaga (If we did not tie it, the roof could have flown off. The wind is really strong),” a resident said.

More than 100,000 residents return home from evacuation centers, carrying not only their belongings but also prayers.

“Kada taon may ganito lagi kami evacuate pag may bagyo punta doon. Sana ngayong Pasko wala nang bagyo (We evacuate every year whenever there is an incoming storm. I hope there’s no storm on Christmas),” another resident said.

The improvement of the weather is also a chance for fishermen to once again catch fish and make up for the days they did not earn anything, like Eric whose three children depend on him.

Eric also has no source of income that he would use to fix their house, which was damaged by Tropical Storm Ofel.

“Marami bagang umaasa sa kita natin, sa pang-araw-araw. Doon kami nakatira sa nanay ko kasi walang kasama mga anak ko,” Eric said.

(Many depend on our income. We currently live with my mother since my children need to be accompanied.)

There were no reported casualties or missing persons in Quezon. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News