Misamis flash flood sweeps away family of 5

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental — A family of five was swept away early Saturday morning when a flash flood struck their riverside dwelling here, barely a month after rampaging floodwaters and storm tides spawned by the southwest monsoon pummeled 10 towns of the province.

Ma. Cecilia Casino-Rivera, provincial information officer, identified the victims as Ernesto Yacuna, his wife, Annalyn, and their children Marylose, 8; Jessabel, three months; and Jessamie, two, who resided at the relocation site in Barangay Dayawan.

Only the bodies of Marylose and Jessabel have so far been found.

Reports said other dwellings were also washed away.

Teodoro Sabuga-a, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, has mobilized a quick reaction team, with the help of Bombo Radyo’s rescue team, to find the bodies of the other Yacuna family members and bring relief goods to the affected families.

Last month, Sabug-a appealed to the councils of towns hit by the flash floods and storm tides to pass an ordinance prohibiting the construction of houses in "vulnerable areas" such as shorelines and riverbanks.