Tornado, flashflood victims pick up the pieces, rebuild homes

CEBU, Philippines – At least eight families in Argao town whose houses were ravaged by a whirlwind Thursday will start rebuilding their homes and their lives as construction materials donated by the municipal government arrive today.

Florentino Ortega, Barangay Captain of Talaga, the village hit by the whirlwind hit dawn last Thursday, said the construction materials such as galvanized iron sheets, nails, and wood will be delivered to the barangay today.

Ortega said Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos called him up yesterday and asked him to list the residents affected by the tragedy.

Ortega said the affected residents will rebuild their houses with the help of other residents in the barangay and they aim to build stronger structures that can withstand strong winds.

Two of the houses, owned by Elizabeth Alonzo and Danilo Ramos, were totally devastated by the whirlwind that struck the barangay around 2am last Thursday. The Alonzo family has decided to rebuild their house on land this time, Ortega said.

Alonzo herself was hit by a hard object on her upper lip when she was swimming to shore right after their house collapsed into the water.

Four of the affected families have moved in with their relatives after the incident.

Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Santander, the 40 families in Barangays Pasil, Looc, and Poblacion whose houses were hit by flashfloods were also provided with food provisions and other basic necessities such as mats, blankets, kitchen utensils, and used clothing.

Melita Mariano, Social Welfare Officer 3 of Santander, however, said there was no need to provide housing materials to the families since the incident was not alarm-ing and the houses were not damaged.

Mariano said the families were advised to relocate because the area where they currently staying is prone to flashfloods.

She said last Thursday was the second time flashfloods had hit the barangay. The incident last February 7 last year neither damaged properties nor hurt anyone. This time, however, at least 15 houses were totally destroyed while over 40 others were partially damaged when flashflood occurred due to heavy rains, she said.

On the other hand, in Bantayan Island, some families were temporarily housed in tents provided by the municipal government.

Magdalena Derecho, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said the other 22 affected families chose to live with their relatives temporarily.

The affected families received food provisions right after the incident, but Derecho said there is yet no plan for the municipal government to provide housing materials, as the damage is considered minor.

The tornado that struck the island past 7pm Thursday removed the roof of four houses and damaged the roof of other houses in sitio Macabayao, Barangay Lipayran.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the public to prepare for "more fury to be unleashed by nature" this rainy season. (FREEMAN)