Probe into Cebu flood deaths sought

MANILA, Philippines - A provincial board member has called for an investigation into what he considers an unusually high number of deaths due to the flood spawned by Tropical Depression Crising in Cebu on Sunday.

Eight died in Carmen town and one in Danao City.

Miguel Antonio Magpale cited reports that new structures around the rivers caused flooding. He said there were also reports that a river wall collapsed. 

“We are a bit alarmed because in recent years we have faced a lot of floods, but this is the first time that we had so many fatalities,” Magpale said. “Was there some kind of logging or mining in the affected areas or was it just a natural occurrence?” 

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said the rivers in Danao and Carmen never overflowed.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) sent a team to conduct clearing operations and assess the situation in affected areas.

 Several roads, which were buried in mud, remained closed. 

State of calamity

Carmen was placed under a state of calamity yesterday due to the flood.

Rodger Suico, head of the municipal risk reduction and management council, said the town could utilize its P6-million disaster fund to assist the victims. He said the families of the fatalities would receive P10,000 each in burial assistance as well as relief goods.

Food packs were also distributed to flood victims.

The PDRRMO distributed 10 tents to more than 200 displaced families in Carmen.

Meanwhile, Ramero Ungtod, officer-in-charge and agricultural technologist of the town, said they are verifying reports that tornadoes triggered the flashflood in Carmen.

”Based on the interview from the residents, there were a number of tornadoes, not just one,” said Ungtod. – Dale Israel, Christell Fatima Tudtud, Kristine Quintas/ Freeman News Service, Michael Punongbayan