Government to give landslide survivors new homes

CEBU, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday assured survivors of the tragic landslide in Naga City, Cebu that they will have new homes at a property owned by the provincial government.

He said both Naga Mayor Kristine Chiong and Governor Hilario Davide III agreed that returning to their former location in Barangay Tinaan would be unsafe for the survivors.

“Ang mayor di na mosugot nga mobalik mo didto,” Duterte told survivors at the Enan Chiong Activity Center.

He said he will direct Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo Del Rosario to build the houses at the new relocation site.

He also said that the government will handle hospital expenses of those still under medical care and burial expenses of those who perished.

After his speech, Duterte accommodated a female survivor at the microphone. Emphatic and emotional, the woman told the president that they blame Apo Land and Quarry Corporation for the landslide and they want the company shut down.

She said they have lived in the area long enough to experience several typhoons but the weather disturbances never caused a landslide.

Duterte who warned the survivors of the hazards a typhoon will bring, surprisingly, did not address the woman’s concern about Apo and, instead, went on a tirade against the New People’s Army and Joma Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

He did, however, mention in his speech that he is against mining because it destroys the integrity of the soil.

Hours before the president’s visit, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has already ordered the suspension of Apo’s Environmental Compliance Certificate and issued a cease and desist order on its operations.

Latest Numbers

As of yesterday, authorities confirmed 29 deaths from the landslide.

Most of the identified fatalities belong to the Campanilla family. They are Mark Laurence Campanilla, 3; Lauro Campanilla; Jemuel Campanilla, 12; Jazwel Campanilla, 8; Lemuel Campanilla, 33; Jenessa Campanilla, 32; and two female Campanilla children.

The Lobiano family also lost several members, including Annabel, 40; Aracelle, 49; and Lance Noah, 7.

Meanwhile, the Siton family lost Althea Siton, 4; Niña; Crystal Jean; Juanito, 42; Emiliana, 85; and Jocelyn to the landslide.

The other fatalities are Olivia Meneses Moral, 63; Romeo Jabonilia, 40; Michael Versales, 16; Vianca Versales, 19; Raul Gepuit, 47; and Laura Capoy, 52.

Three male and one female victim are yet to be identified while the gender of yet another victim is yet to be identified.

The wake of fatalities is at the Naga City Badminton Court.

Meanwhile, the evacuees are housed temporarily at six evacuation centers namely Cepoc Elementary School, Naalad Elementary School, Apo Gym, Naga Central School, Naga National High School, and Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC).

As of yesterday night, a total of 1,493 families have been evacuated. More are expected to come to the centers after City Mayor Vanessa Chiong declared a forced evacuation to all residents who live within the one kilometer radius surrounding Sitio Sibulan of Barangay Tinaan.

Relief

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has handed over 1,500 family food packs; 500 sleeping kits; 500 dining kits; 1,000 pieces of malong; and 500 hygiene kits.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) also gave 200 rice packs, 200 packs of assorted canned goods, and 600 bottles of drinking water.

DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo assured that the agency will continue to work closely with the Naga City government to address the survivors’ needs.

The agency has earmarked P2 million as financial support for the evacuees and for the bereaved families of the dead residents. — JMO (FREEMAN)