Falling tree, bridge damage

CEBU, Philippines - After a heavy downpour yesterday noon, several incidents were also reported in the Cebu City.

In Barangay Guadalupe Public Safety Officers rushed to Sitio Kanaas to respond to a falling tree alarm.

Enrique Cabanilla of the BPSO said that a bamboo tree fell down on the houses of Crisencio Gabucan and Evelyn Gabucan, but not much damage was caused.

He said that they were able to clear the fallen bamboo from on top of the houses, a chicken coop and a pig pen.  Crisencio said that the incident happened after heavy rain. He was feeding his youngest child when he heard the sound of something coming to rest on his roof.

When he went outside to check he saw that the bamboo tree fell on his roof.

Evelyn said that she also noticed the same sound. She said she had just entered her house when the bamboo tree fell down.

“Nabali akong meter sa kuryente, na-damage ang atop… mao pa gyu’y pag-gawas nako ato, igo ra g’yud ko’ng nakabutang sa akong bag sa sulod sa balay natumba dayon ang kawayan,” she said.

Just a few meters away, a resident of Obedience Street, Barangay Capitol Site, called the attention of The FREEMAN and BANAT NEWS to show the damaged foundation of the Guadalupe–OPRRA Bridge.

Rogelio Ballecer said on August 28, 2014 he noticed that the foundation was damaged by the current after a heavy rain.

He said that he already told personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways but they referred him to the city government.

Past 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon he heard a loud noise and saw two culverts washed away by the waters.

He said that if the rains persist, he is afraid that one day the bridge might collapse. Ballecer lives a few meters away from the bridge. He asked for immediate action from the barangay officials and of the city government to address this problem.

He also said he noticed vibrations caused by vehicles passing the bridge are causing more damage.

“Mga alas tres sa hapon nabantayan nako nangahulog na diha, delikado kaayo mobigay gani na siya, wa na tagak gyud nang taytayan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Fire Department received a fire alarm in Barangay Busay around 1:15 p.m. but the fire was quickly put out by residents and the damage was almost negligible. —/BRP (FREEMAN)