ASIPULO, Ifugao -- Residents affected by the armed conflict at Barangay Namal are back in their homes after spending some nights in government facilities that served as evacuation centers.
A total of 98 families consisting of 398 individuals returned to their respective homes on February 17 after government troops ensured their safety. The families also received assorted goods from government and non-government organizations and kind-hearted individuals.
The families were evacuated for their safety after soldiers overran a suspected New People's Army (NPA) camp in Sitio Pinugao, Barangay Namal February 12 and recovered some ammunitions, three laptops, assorted medical and food supplies and other personal belongings.
Acting Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Cecil Unghiyon informed the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) office provided 500 food packs, 127 plastic mats, 127 blankets and 60 dignity kits to the families.
The PDRRM office also provided 27 blankets and four boxes of can goods, 10 sacks of rice and used clothings from the municipality of Lamut and blankets and assorted clothings from the people of Kiangan while Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat donated P15,000.
The Municipal Health Office of Asipulo also held medical consultations after the conduct of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.
Meanwhile, Joseline Niwane, Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer clarified affected families were not evacuated in Kiangan town as reported by some media outfits.
“They were evacuated in government facilities of the same barangay,” Niwane stressed. (Marcelo Lihgawon/PIA–CAR)