LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Hundreds of calamity-stricken families in the different parts of this vegetable-producing province are longing for the immediate identification of a permanent relocation site where they could start building new homes and try to begin a new lease on life so that they could eventually forget their tragic experiences during the onslaught of typhoon “Pepeng”.

In this capital town, at least 150 families are still being accommodated in seven evacuation centers while some live in makeshift tents after their respective houses were totally damaged by the typhoon’s wrath which resulted in the death of over 200 persons in the province alone.

According to the calamity victims, their living conditions inside the evacuation centers and makeshift tents are so difficult since the health of the children and the elderly are being compromised, thus, the need for the national and local governments to pinpoint possible relocation sites where the affected people could start their new journey in life.

Initially, the municipal government is negotiating with the administration of the Benguet State University (BSU) so that it could spare a portion of its vast tracts of properties in the town to serve as a relocation site for the typhoon victims that were displaced from Sitio Little Kibungan in Puguis and Buyagan areas.

Some of the children who are made to live in the cool and chilly makeshift tents, especially during the early mornings, are now suffering from respiratory diseases which complicate the problems of the calamity victims since they need money to buy medicines.

Mayor Artemio Galwan said the local government will continue to provide relief and medical assistance to the calamity victims until such time that they could be able to settle in their permanent relocation sites for them to settle in their respective lives.

Relief assistance from different government and civic groups continue to arrive in the town for distribution to the calamity-stricken victims but appropriate steps must be undertaken to immediately address the pressing concern of the evacuees for new shelter.