‘Basyang’ leaves 1 dead in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — A coconut tree toppled by winds from tropical depression Basyang fell on a small shed in Alegria town, southern Cebu late Thursday evening, killing a 57-year-old man with mental disability.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) identified the fatality as Jennas Demecillo Allonis of Barangay Madridejos.

He was taking shelter in the shanty when the coconut tree fell on the structure and pinned him down.

Allonis still had weak vital signs when rescuers arrived but he never made it to the St. Peter Hospital in Alegria.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the provincial government will extend financial assistance to the family, although the amount is still being determined.

According to state weather bureau’s online bulletin at 5 p.m. yesterday, Basyang, which was under first level category or tropical depression, was downgraded into low pressure area.

Basyang reached second level category or tropical storm when it entered Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday night and slowly weakened upon land interaction.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, the LPA was spotted about 220 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan as it was about to exit PAR.

Tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1 was lifted in Cebu at 5 p.m. yesterday.

The PDRRMO, in its consolidated report, noted evacuations and damages in at least 12 local government units, including Alegria, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Sibonga, Argao, Sogod, Aloguinsan, Ronda, Daanbantayan, Samboan, Talisay City, and Boljoon.

Some 17 evacuation centers catered to 424 families or a total of 1,872 individuals.

While there was not much damage on agriculture, at least initially, Basyang managed to disrupt operations of lifeline facilities. Power was interrupted in Alegria, Malabuyoc, Badian, Moalboal on Tuesday but was eventually restored on the same day.  Flooding was observed in Barangay Caputatan Norte in Medellin town and in Sitio Magtakop in Sogod town.

Minor landslide was also noted in Barangay Ylaya of San Fernando town and Barangay Pakigne in Minglanilla. No one was reported hurt from these two incidents.

In Talisay City, four houses were partially damaged due to a road widening project that gave in to the rains and winds.

A total of 1,033 passengers were also stranded in 10 different ports across Cebu.

Today, PDRRMO will deploy two Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) teams to determine the extent of damage in the towns and check whether help is needed.

Cebu City

Cebu’s major cities, despite experiencing moderate rains and winds, were generally spared from Basyang’s wrath.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said teams that conducted post-disaster assessment in the mountain and rural areas yesterday morning only reported uprooted trees in some areas.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, warned schools that have disregarded his announcement of class suspensions.

“Many schools did not follow what I announced. Well, that’s up to them. But if there were heavy rains which caused loss of life and limb, they will be criminally responsible, liable. I already warned them,” he told reporters.

Osmeña suspended classes in all levels, private and public, on Tuesday noon and whole day of Wednesday.  He said he was reluctant to suspend classes for yesterday until he received an advisory from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council that heavy rain might affect Cebu.

“I’m the last person to suspend classes. The province is ahead of me. Everyone is ahead of me. I will not name names (of the schools that did not follow). Will I do anything to them? No. Let’s not grandstand this issue,” he said.

In every weather disturbance that hits the city, Osmeña said, he empowers the principal to make the decision to suspend classes because they are more knowledgeable on the situation on the ground, especially in the upland barangays.

Lapu-Lapu City

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday suspended all watersports activities due to strong winds since Tuesday night.

Those who will defy her order will run the risk of having their permits revoked, she said.

“Kung abusar, kuhaan og permit,” she said, adding that due process will still be observed for violators.

The mayor said parasailing and scuba diving are still not allowed as of this writing since the current is strong due to strong winds.

She said shops offering these activities can go back to their normal operations once the weather will be fine.

The mayor added that the City Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Office is constantly monitoring the islands of Caubian, Caohagan, and Pangan-an, as well as tall trees in the city, owing to strong winds. — with Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, Iris Mariani B. Algabre, and May B. Miasco/JMD (FREEMAN)