‘Twister’ hits 2 Talavera villages, local execs rush aid
TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija – The camp of “Team Kaunlaran” led by the outgoing three-termer mayor, now Vice Mayor-elect Nerivi Santos-Martinez, and her brother, Mayor-elect and Liga ng Barangay president Nerito “JR” Santos Jr. immediately rushed to provide aid to the affected residents here after a tornado hit two barangays, destroying several houses, damaging crops and toppling electric posts causing a power outage in the area.
Reports said the “twister” struck before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday catching residents of Barangays Caaninaplahan and Mabuhay off guard as these areas were engulfed by a spinning cone of strong winds that moved swiftly across the ground, leaving trails of destruction in the place.
“Inabutan po natin ang dalawang barangay na tinamaan ng buhawi na walang kuryente, maraming nakabuwal na poste ng kuryente at mga puno, gayundin nakita natin ang mga kabahayan dito na nilipad ang kanilang mga yero at bubong,” said Santos-Martinez, in her Facebook page Wednesday night shortly after the tornado struck.
She said at least 18 houses were destroyed during the howler.
“Tinungo po natin ngayon gabi ang mga mamamayan ng Barangay Caaninaplahan at Mabuhay na nasiraan ng mga bahay dahil sa malakas na buhawi. Kasama si Mayor JR, Konsehal Nel Rayo at Konsehal Ape Reyes ay nagpaabot po tayo ng tulong sa 18 pamilya na apektado,” the vice mayor-elect added.
“Bukas po ay magsasagawa tayo ng clearing operations at magpapabot ng dagdag na tulong sa mga iba pang naapektuhan,” Santos-Martinez added.
The swift response of Team Kaunlaran to the affected barangays earned praises from netizens who lauded their efforts in bringing instant relief such as food and cash assistance to those distressed residents.
Santos-Martinez’s FB post generated more than 2.9k reactions from netizens, including Donald M. Naco, who commented: “Real-life ‘Wonderwoman’ ng Talavera. God bless Mayora Nerivi Santos Martinez for your immediate response sa atin pong mga kababayan parang si Darna sa bilis (with smiling face with smiling eyes emoji). Talavera is really in good hands also to our next Mayor-Elect Nerito Santos Jr and councilor Ape Reyes Nel Rayo.” By Steve A. Gosuico
