Provincial gov't overwhelmed by 'enthusiasm, generosity'

A long line of vehicles filled a long stretch of the North Road, the main highway leading to northern Cebu province, on Friday, Oct. 3.

- By CALVIN CORDOVA, MARTIN SADONGDONG and TRIXEE ROSEL

And until Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4, the bumper-to-bumper traffic persisted with hundreds of trucks, buses, and jeeps bearing relief goods that all but highlighted the outpouring of help Cebu and its grief-stricken residents have been getting ever since a magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit on Tuesday night, Sept. 30.

As such, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro is thanking all those who have donated cash, goods, and services that her constituents badly need in this time of crisis.

"We are so overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and the generosity of those who donated and volunteered. From the bottom of our heart, thank you," Baricuatro said.

'Stay out of quake-hit areas'

But while relief efforts are welcome, Baricuatro nevertheless appealed for a unified effort to prevent heavy traffic leading to areas affected by the quake.

"Roads are congested already.

That's why we appeal to private individuals, organizations to centralize the donation," said Baricuatro.

Baricuatro said the heavy traffic was also hampering the government's relief operations.

The provincial government has set up a command center at the Capitol grounds in Cebu City where donations are being accepted and repacking of relief goods are being done.

The governor said travelling to quake-hit areas was not advisable, as of the moment.

"There are still aftershocks. So, it is not advisable to go there to give their own donations," she said.

Baricuatro said she was aware that some residents complained that they have yet to receive relief aid days after the quake.

The governor said a command center will be set up in northern Cebu to ensure that relief goods will be delivered even to far-flung barangays.

"We are appealing for understanding because the local government units are really affected. It's just that there are far-flung areas that cannot be reached right away," Baricuatro said.