AN OFFICIAL of Barangay Barra, Opol in Misamis Oriental said they have now recorded over 1,000 individuals in their barangay, many staying with relatives.
Barra village councilor Jonas Bustamante said village officials have recorded 1,272 individuals staying with relatives in the barangay.
He said officials and residents of the village have noted the arrival of the IDPs since dawn of May 24 until the weekend.
Bustamante said none have asked to stay at the covered court or any centers of the barangay.
"Naay mga paryente siguro nila nga nagpuyo diri busa diha sila midangop. Sa 1,272 sagol nana bata og hamtong. Naa pay uban ani wala pa malista ( Maybe they have relatives here. The 1, 272 cover children and adults and not all were recorded),"Bustamante said.
"Kada naay moabot gikan sa Marawi, naay area namo unahan sa checkpoint nga maglista (Newcomers from Marawi are recorded at the checkpoint by a village official),"Bustamante said.
Bustamante said the street chairmen around the village validate the presence of people temporarily staying with homeowners within the village.
The Barangay Council has convened and tasked the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) to conduct the listing through house to house visit.
Bustamante, who chairs the information committee and heads the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC), said they welcome the IDPs “with open arms rather than locking the doors and leaving them to face violence in Marawi City”.
Bustamante said village officials have coordinated with the police and other law enforcement units to have more checkpoints in the community and for police to intensify patrols and intelligence gathering.
Bustamante said none had so far asked for food or any aid from the barangay but he said they are prepared in case there will be requests for assistance.
Bustamante called on the residents of the community to be calm but exercise vigilance regarding goings on in the village.