Senator Richard Gordon visited the earthquake victims here on Sunday to bring relief items and personally monitor the situation of the displaced evacuees in the far-flung village of this town.

Gordon, who is also the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chief executive officer, inspected the evacuation camp in Barangay Tacul, located in the mountain slopes some 10 kilometers from the town center together with Mayor Arthur Davin and a convoy of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) personnel.

Hundreds of evacuees led by Tacul Barangay Chairman Alexander Cossid welcomed the senator, who appealed on the residents to “strive and work hand in hand” to get back to where they were before the disaster-hit their community.

“When the world seems no longer looking at you, the Philippine Red Cross is always there to help you. But you have to exert your own efforts, too just like what we did in Olongapo when we were struck by calamity,” he said.

Gordon led the turnover of hygiene kits, food packs, tarpaulin tent, mat, and blankets to the evacuees.

Barangay Chairman Cossid said majority of the village’s 1,700 households remain in evacuation centers and tents since the first tremor struck the area on October 16.

“Thousands may not be in the evacuation area, but they are living in tents near their residence for fear that another earthquake will strike,” Cossid said.

The PRC volunteers also brought in two tankers to supply potable water to the evacuees, as water pipes coming from the upper part of the mountain were destroyed by landslides following the series of earthquakes in October.

Barangay Tacul is just a few kilometers from Tulunan, North Cotabato, the epicenter of the three strong temblors in late October. (PNA)

Photo credit: facebook.com/senatorgordon/