Minglanilla declared under calamity state

CEBU, Philippines - Minglanilla was declared under the state of calamity yesterday morning, while financial aid was also recommended for Talisay City after the tornado that hit both areas last Tuesday.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) is helping assess the damage in Minglanilla where some 50 houses were destroyed in barangays Calajoan and Tungkil; and in Talisay City where eight houses were destroyed.

A total of 177 individuals are affected - 147 in Minglanilla and 30 in Talisay City.

Joselito Nacario, Public Information Officer in Minglanilla, said they sent canned goods, rice and other basic needs to the affected areas while the engineering team also checked infrastructure that need repair.

Power and water supplies were restored last night.

In Talisay, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Officer Felipa Solano said they gave packed meals while Marichu Tantano, 30; Letecia Labadan, 48 and Rosie Sedentario, 35, who were hurt were given first aid at the Talisay City District Hospital.

Residents were caught by surprise by what they thought was an approaching heavy rain but this turned out to be a violently rotating column of air, ripping away roofs of their houses.

Areas affected were Villa Feliza and Deca Homes Phase 3 in Barangay Tungkil as well as Barangay Calajoan. The tornado also hit barangays Mohon and Pooc in Talisay City.

Based on their report to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, 60 homes in Deca Homes Minglanilla were damaged and another four in Talisay city.

PDRRMC head Neil Sanchez said some houses lost their roofs while others had minor damage such as shattered windows and light bulbs.

Magpale sent the Provincial Services and Welfare Office personnel to give immediate assistance like food and clothes. They are waiting for the assessment so they can see how they can provide construction materials for the houses that need repair.

Given that this is not a usual disaster, Magpale said it would be very hard to prepare since this cannot be anticipated but she supports the proposal of Minglanilla to conduct a tornado drill in schools.

Sanchez agreed that since it would not be easy to prepare for such calamities, unlike other countries which have underground shelters, it would be best to prepare by assessing structures which have high integrity that would not be easily uprooted or destroyed.

He advised local government units to prepare by checking on their respective structures to see where they can evacuate residents in times of tornados./JPM (FREEMAN)