Flood-displaced families return to their houses

CEBU, Philippines – Families evacuated after last Tuesday’s heavy rain and flooding in Cebu City have already returned to their houses yesterday morning.

The 29 families (109 individuals) in Barangay Mambaling who were affected by the heavy flooding under Kinalumsan Bridge, as well as the 38 individuals in Barangay Tisa have been allowed to leave the evacuation centers and return to their homes.

However, the 20 others “illegally” living under the Colon Bridge in Barangay Pahina-San Nicolas were prevented from going back to the area.

“Before sila makabalik sa area, gisugdan na dayon ang clearing operation at 8 a.m. Giguba ning mga kubo na gibuhat nila nga gi-alihan ra og mga trapal, mga panapton. We asked assistance from the police of Station 6 so by 11 a.m., nahuman na dayon ang clearing.” said Barangay Councilman Arnulfo Cambunga.

For those families in Barangay Tisa whose houses were partially washed out by the flashflood brought by the Buhisan River, the DSWS is currently inspecting the area.

The barangay council is coordinating with the DSWS for an emergency session to discuss about the outcome of the inspection and what is yet to be done in the area.

Mambaling Barangay Captain Wilfredo Go, on the other hand, has instructed the residents living along riversides and bridges to move out.

Rama

The flashflood has prompted Mayor Michael Rama to call on the legislative body to support the endorsement of the city’s disaster mitigation programs for its immediate implementation to prevent further risks caused by natural calamities.

“Konseho, ayaw sige’g babag. Trabaho na‘ta, kuyog na‘ta. Naa na gyu’y annual budget,” he said in a press conference yesterday.

The city government, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, has planned to allocate P20 million for lot acquisition for the safe relocation site of affected residents.

Letting the families housed in evacuation centers from time to time is only a band-aid solution, thus, a long-term plan such as an infrastructure project is needed, said Rama.

Councilor David Tumulak, who chairs CDRRMC, is calling on lot owners who can offer their free spaces to be developed as a permanent dwelling to residents living on danger zones, such as the flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.

Capitol

With the heavy rain, the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has advised local government units to resort to preemptive evacuation, if necessary, especially for those living near riverbanks and low-lying areas.

Dennis Cortes, PDRRMO operations officer, said LGUs should take initiatives as they are expected to know the needs of the community and the hazards present in their respective jurisdictions.

He said the public should not be complacent, noting that heavy downpour occurs any time and may also cause flashfloods.

He also reminded LGUs of their responsibility as first responders to emergency situations.

“Mi-advise na ‘ta sa mga LGUs nga if naa’y dako mahitabo, mo-augment ra ‘ta,” he told reporters.

Despite last Tuesday’s heavy rainfall, PDRRMO reported no casualties and damage in the province.

The disaster office has been in a blue or partial activation status since last week due to the frequent rains experienced in some parts of the province.

Under the partial activation status, primary or lead staff members of the PDRRMO are required to implement an alert duty system, and all field personnel and assets should be on stand-by and pre-positioned for “easy” deployment.

Cortes said they have sent out advisories to the LGUs and directed them to activate their disaster response team.

He added that monitoring, especially on Mananga River in Talisay and on Butuanon River in Mandaue City, is still in place. — Charlyne J. Calisang, USJ-R Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)