More floods

CEBU, Philippines - Heavy rains lasting for hours submerged parts of Cebu City, Talisay City, Minglanilla and Naga yesterday morning, causing damage to property and affecting hundreds of residents.

In Cebu City, the Office of the Civil Defense-7 identified the barangays as Kalunasan, Basak-Pardo, Buhisan, Mambaling, Mabolo, Pahina-Central, Talamban, Guadalupe, Inayawan and Apas.

Over 300 families in eight sitios in Basak-Pardo were affected by a waist-deep flood, which started rising at 8 a.m. However, no residents were displaced as the water subsided in the afternoon.

Basak-Pardo barangay captain David Tumulak said the eight sitios have been experiencing flooding for decades.

“Magpadayon gyud ni nga problema hangtod naa na’y proper drainage. Ang Basak-Pardo man gud is a natural catch basin sa tanang barangays surrounding it – ang Kinasang-an, Quiot, Basak San Nicolas, Poblacion Pardo and Punta Princesa. And tanang tubig kung mag-ulan, mag-converge diring dapita,” Tumulak said.

 He said there is no immediate solution to the problem other than the construction of drainages in three vital points – along Sabellano Street going to sitio Macopa, Highway Tagunol to Tagunol Bridge and Sitio Kauswagan down to Tagunol.

The barangay has an ongoing drainage project in sitio Kauswagan worth P7 million, but the budget is not enough. It needs an additional P8 million which Mayor Michael Rama already committed.

Tumulak said the barangay risk reduction management has been on red alert. “We will be monitoring 24 hours and our equipments and medical kits are prepared.”

No house was damaged but some appliances were destroyed.

Joy Hernandez of OCD-7 said the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council convened yesterday to assess the extent of damage.

The convention was attended by officials of OCD, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services and Administration, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, Department of Education, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The OCD report showed that some parts of Basak-Pardo and Mambaling suffered waistline deep flooding yesterday. Mabolo, Pahina-Central, and Barangay Talamban B1 and B2 also experienced flooding. A light landslide occurred in Sapangdaku.

 The Inayawan River overflowed while ripraps in Buhisan, Apas and Talamban rivers collapsed. A house was also damaged and a tree was uprooted in Kalunasan.

Classes at Kalunasan Elementary School were suspended as its perimeter fence threatened to collapse. Classes at Guadalupe Elementary School were also suspended due to soil erosion in the area.

Alvin Santillana, executive director of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, said the incidents only caused minimal damages.

Talisay City

Low-lying villages in Talisay City were submerged and some residents blamed city officials for lack of long-term solution to the problem.

A big portion of sitio Palanggana, barangay San Roque was knee-deep while the flood in the inner part of this highly-populated area was waistline deep.

“Dugay naman ni namong problema diri. Ug mobaha, mobisita dayon ang mga opisyal sa barangay ug taga-city hall, pero wa may aksyon,” said resident Desiree Claro.

Sitio Palanggana is along the Cebu South Coastal Road, and according to Claro, each time it rains, water coming from all directions goes straight to their area.

Residents there have to wade through the knee-deep flood, which has already covered their cemented path way, to reach to their homes. All houses were also flooded.

The neighboring village of Cansojong also suffered almost the same fate. Those living near the Cansojong Creek were worried that the water would rise if the rain would continue.

Armand Abaquita, 47, said he hoped the city government would cover at least a portion of the creek, especially the area beside their narrow pathway.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said he already asked barangay chiefs to monitor their respective territories in case there is a need to evacuate the residents. He said manpower and heavy equipment are on standby.

Mayor Socrates Fernandez said the city’s integrated drainage masterplan is nearing implementation.

He said flood-prone areas have already been identified and that the project will soon start.

Minglanilla and Naga

In Minglanilla, flood hit the Springwoods Subdivision and some public schools. The police, however, said they have not received reports on the effects of the incident.

In Naga, heavy equipment such as dump trucks had been stationed at the municipal hall in case there’s a need to relocate residents in the flood-prone barangay Tinaan.

Arvin Cabigas, who was assigned to watch the situation in Tinaan, said the flood hit the area early yesterday morning, covering the road.

Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong said they had already advised the people to leave the area during heavy rains.

Mandaue City

The Department of Education identified three public elementary schools in Mandaue City that need help following Tuesday’s flood.

Assistant Mandaue City School Division Superintendent Belen Zanoria said the three schools are located in barangay Guizo, Tipolo and Basak.

Zanoria personally inspected Mayor Alejandro Fortuna Elementary School in Guizo yesterday morning and noticed that it was still flooded. Classes were still suspended yesterday.

Sea travel

The Philippine Coast Guard advised pump boats not to venture into the sea because of the bad weather. It also cautioned larger vessels against big waves.

Commander Anelito Gabison of PCG-Cebu said they are following certain provisions when to hold larger sea vessels to travel.

“We follow certain gross standards in accordance to weather condition. If taas ang waves, vessels with higher gross standards are only allowed to travel,” he told The FREEMAN on the phone.

Gabison said as long as there is no storm signal all large sea vessels are allowed to travel.

PAGASA Weather Specialist I May Silagan said residents who lived in low-lying areas and along the shores to be on alert.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Erson Digal assured that his personnel are ready for any search and rescue operation. — With Jose P. Sollano and Ria Mae Y Booc/LPM (FREEMAN)