CEBU, Philippines — A total of 1,405 individuals making up 352 families were evacuated to safe ground in Mandaue City last Monday after the Butuanon River overflowed, this despite the city experiencing no rain.
“Wala uwan sa Mandaue pero nagbaha lang gihapon tungod kay ni-overflow ang Butuanon River unya ang uwan gikan sa Cebu City,” said Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
The affected families from the barangays of Umapad, Paknaan, and Ibabao are currently staying at the Umapad Elementary School.
Cortes hopes that the slope protection project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Butuanon River will be completed as soon as possible as this will help widen the water passageway.
The mayor visited the flood victims yesterday as the City Social Welfare Services provided disaster kits containing blankets, mats, undergarments, hygiene kits, shirts, shorts, and other necessities, and distributed food and water to those staying at the evacuation site. The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office also provided 24 modular tents and set up two emergency floodlights in Umapad.
Also, personnel from the Mandaue City Risk Reduction and Management Office and Barangay Emergency Response Teams conducted rescue operations for affected families.
The mayor added that he hopes that a gabion dam will also be put up especially at the Cebu City portion of the Butuan River.
“Kay kani man gud ang gabion dam kung naa siya, inig kusog sa uwan sa taas, inig abot sa ubos, di na ing-ana kakusog,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of cross-border coordination and announced plans to discuss flood control measures with acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
“Mao na nakita g’yud nako ang importansya sa pag-coordinate sa atong silingan, atong i-pursue ang beyond borders. That is exactly the essence of beyond borders makigtambayayong ta sa atong tapad, atong silingan and in this case ang Cebu City,” Cortes said. — (FREEMAN)