by Kendra Osias || Photo Credits: The Guardian

Super Typhoon Odette, internationally named Rai, made its landfall last December 16, 2021. The typhoon ravaged several parts of Siargao, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, Bohol, parts of Cebu, Palawan, and Southern Leyte. 

In response, the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS – EVC), in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Palo, served as a temporary evacuation center to a total of 117 families, 42 of which from Brgy. Candahug, Palo, and the rest being in-house residents— families of PSHS-EVC’s faculty and staff.

According to Mr. Oscar Peralta, who served as the Incident Commander of the school, preparation for the evacuation followed a pre-mandated plan issued by the government. It included a program of activities and a briefing for the different committees formed, headed by the Campus Director, Ms. Yvonne Esperas. 

Peralta further elaborated that they had collaborated with Candahug’s Barangay Chairman, Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Kagawads in order to bring the residents to the school and maintain peace and order among the evacuees.

“It was very systematic, especially with the support of the utility and security personnel,” said Peralta. “We encountered no problems”, he added.

Because the school sustained no damages, relief goods were not provided by the Palo LGU.

The PSHS-EVC facility first housed evacuees during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda and  will still continue to be a place of safety for evacuees in the future.