• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The relatives of Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo has offered more relocation sites for 362 families in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, free of charge.
This was disclosed by the Mayor on Monday night, as she led the giant Christmas lighting ceremony in front of the municipal hall, along with a gift giving to victims of Typhoon Tino in Moises Padilla.
The homes of 362 families in Moises Padilla, were destroyed by recent flooding.
Garcia-Yulo said her uncle, Eric Golez, is willing to add another one hectare to be used as a relocation site, in addition to the one hectare that he earlier announced will be donated, in memory of his late mother, Cecilia Montilla Garcia-Golez.
The mayor said they will accommodate only homeless families who are willing to be relocated, as others have already found areas to relocate to.
Records of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that 16 town residents died, while 15 remain missing, as of December 4.
Damage to agriculture was reported by the local disaster council at P61.9 million.
The affected town residents are expected to get financial aid from the national government, but Garcia-Yulo clarified that they have yet to receive it from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as Human Settlement and Urban Development, aside from the P10 million from the Office of the President.
The town’s annual Christmas “Lights On” tradition was held on December 13, which coincides with the birthday of her late father and Garcia family patriarch, former Mayor Jose Jogar Garcia.
This year’s celebration was different, as the Lights On ceremony was dedicated to the victims of Typhoon Tino – serving as a moment of spiritual healing and a reaffirmation of faith and trust in God.
Despite the trials brought by Typhoon Tino, the event conveyed a message that there is light in hope and that the community can rise again.
The theme, “Rise in the Light of Hope,” reflects the community’s strong resolve that through unity and cooperation, the hardships caused by Typhoon Tino can be overcome, allowing every resident to move forward with life.
In her message, the mayor sought to uplift the spirits of the victims, assuring them that the local government is doing everything possible to help them recover and rebuild.
Messages of support were also delivered by Julian Gatuslao, who represented Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo, and Board Member Haji Trujillo.
Vice Mayor Pimpoy Yulo likewise shared the hardships his family had endured, including their imprisonment as a couple, and being victims of an ambush incident.
Despite the trials, Vice Mayor Yulo said they entrusted everything to prayer and continued to place their faith in the Almighty, believing that these challenges would be overcome.
He also assured affected families that local officials remain accessible and ready to help.
“Through unity, we will rise again,” Vice Mayor Yulo declared.*
