ODETTE, tagged as one of the deadliest super typhoons to pummel the country since Typhoon Yolanda, has left thousands of families homeless especially in Dinagat Province.

Mayor Hero Ecleo of the Municipality of San Jose said a total of 38,000 families are rendered homeless due to the strong winds caused by Odette.

ODETTE’S AFTERMATH. Mayor Hero Ecleo of the Municipality of San Jose said a total of 38,000 families have been rendered homeless due to the strong winds caused by Odette. Photo by Joey P. Nacalaban

“Mga 265 kph ang kakusgon sa hangin nga mikuso-kuso sulod sa unom ka oras busa in ani gyud ang resulta tabla tanan,” Ecleo said.

RELIEF OPS. Evangelical churches went to Dinagat today to distribute relief goods such as sacks of rice, grocery packs, and mineral water worth P1.3 million. Photo by Joey P. Nacalaban

For his part, Vice Governor Nilo Demero of the said province said the catastrophe was the first in 30 years.

He said the last typhoon that also destroyed houses, farmlands, government facilities, and fishing businesses was during the time of Typhoon Nitang.

The barangays which were badly hit by the typhoon were Valencia, Cadianao, and Boao.

Both officials extended their appreciation to the group of Evangelical churches who went to their area to distribute relief goods such as hundreds of sacks of rice, grocery packs, and mineral water worth P1.3 million.

Bishop Genesis ‘Bong’ Udang, chairman of the Philippine Relief and Development Services (Philrads), who is also the lead person of the team said that after Dinagat their team will also visit Siargao City for the same activity.

Bishop Noel Pantoja, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) which has 58,000 church members across the country said aside from the relief goods they have distributed, the group is also planning to help the families whose houses were totally devastated.

“Within six months we will fulfill our promise nandito pa kami sa assessment period identifying who are qualified to receive,” Pantoja said

RELIEF OPS. Led by Bishop Genesis ‘Bong’ Udang, Philrads, Tearfund, Intercessories for the Philippines, BCCOO, Living Faith Christian Fellowship, Kagay-an Evangelical Disaster Response Network (KESRN), Mindanao Evangelical Leaders Council, Ees Cross, National Telecommunications Commission, and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Council distributed relief goods to survivors of Typhoon Odette in Dinagat Island. Photo by Joey P. Nacalaban

He said they will also give assistance to the farmers by supplying them seeds so they can start anew. Likewise, also to the fishermen, the group promised to give them fishing gear.

Dinagat province is an island bigger than Misamis Oriental’s Camiguin Island, has a total of seven municipalities, and all were badly hit by the typhoon.

Blessed Hope Child and Development Center staff conducted psycho-social intervention to the children affected by the typhoon.