Flood-stricken residents in Apas given tents as temporary shelter

CEBU, Philippines - Residents in a flood-stricken lot in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas, Cebu City will have to stay temporarily under tents while the city government fixes the problem.

Mayor Michael Rama, who inspected the area yesterday, ordered the Department of Engineering and Public Works  to clear lot 942 of filling materials so the floodwaters can flow into the drainage canal.

The knee-deep water, which was brought by the recent rains, has been stagnant in the area for over two weeks now and is already posing risk to the residents’ health.

Rama has also directed the Quick Response Team and the Department of Social Welfare and Services to put up tents on a safer ground for the residents.

The residents and their families have been ordered to transfer yesterday to avoid getting electrocuted and trapped once the floodwater rises due to the rain.

DEPW has also delivered the culverts to expand the drainage system in the area.

With the long holiday starting today and the city government’s offices closed, Barangay Apas Captain Ramil Ayuman is concerned about the expected delay in the installation of the culverts.

Ayuman is anticipating the floodwater to rise because of the low pressure, which will continue to bring in rains until the weekend. The flooding has reached the nearby lot 947, he said.

He said they are hopeful that the city government can fix the problem soon so residents can go back to their respective houses.

A number of houses in the area have been demolished since March 4, following an ejectment case filed by one Aletha Suico-Magat, but a few remains since its owners filed a supersedeas bond before the court.

“Ang ubang pamilya nihawa, pero ang uban nagpabilin kay wa ma’y paryente na kaadtoan. Naningkamot gani intawn sila na di maapil sa demolisyon ang ilang mga balay, pero  mapugos ra gihapon sila og biya, so maayo g’yud maayo na ni dayon para makabalik sila didto og puyo,” the barangay captain said.

Magat, who claims ownership of the lot, said her family plans to build a modern hospital in the area. — (FREEMAN)