Malapascua island not spared by wrath of typhoon Yolanda

CEBU, Philippines - The Malapascua island in northern Cebu, best known for its world-class dive sites and the thresher sharks, was not spared from the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda.

Some dive shops and resort operators said that the island has suffered severely due to the heavy winds generated by the typhoon.

“Basta basag jud ang isla, patas ang tanan, wala’y gipili mga balay hurot gi pang tanggalan og mga atop (The island is leveled. The typhoon did not spare anyone; all houses lost their roofs),” said Sonia de Dios of Blue Corals Resort.

De Dios went to Cebu City last Saturday from Malapascua to communicate with the resort owner, who is in another country, on the situation in the island, which lost its power and communication facilities after the typhoon.

She said small boats ferried passengers from and to the island since some big passenger boats were destroyed by  the typhoon.

De Dios said the devastation in Daanbantayan, in Bogo City, and other areas of northern Cebu is the same in Malapascua island.

“Grabe jud sobrang looy pero (The situation is so pitiful but) at least wala’y nangadisgrasya (there were no casualties), (everyone was) safe ra ang tanan mga balay, hapay jud sa tibuok Malapascua,” she posted over Facebook.

A Help Malapascua Facebook page was also created by some groups where photos and updates and its call for help in the relief and rehabilitation are posted.

A drop-off center for donations for Help Malapascua was set up at 35-B Amon Court along Salinas Drive in Lahug, Cebu City.

The group also established radio towers to connect the island with Cebu City to readily convey to authorities what the community needs the most there.— /RHM (FREEMAN)