CEBU, Philippines — A dramatic nine-hour rescue operation unfolded in Brgy. Tisa, Cebu City after heavy downpour on the evening of December 1, 2024 led to the collapse of a condominium wall that left a couple trapped inside their home around 7 p.m.
Tragically, the incident resulted in the death of 49-year-old Elisa Arangis Batin. However, her husband, Liberato Nonoy Batin, managed to survive the ordeal.
The Bureau of Fire Protection Special Rescue Operation (BFPSRO) and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, along with the rescue personnel of Brgy. Tisa, swiftly responded to the incident following the collapse of the condominium's riprap.
According to the BFPSRO, its personnel received the call about a collapsed structure trapping two individuals around 7 p.m. and immediately headed to the site, arriving at 7:25 p.m.
The affected structure, a house constructed of light materials, was located next to the condominium's riprap. The team cordoned off the area for safety, identified signs of soil instability, and evacuated other residents to ensure their safety.
The BFPSRO, in its report, cited that rescue operations started with the Batin couple being administered oxygen and the victims' vital signs monitored continuously.
Liberato was successfully pulled out around 11:00 pm and was transported to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). Attention was then turned to Elisa, whose condition became increasingly concerning during the operation.
At around 2:15 in the morning, already of Dec. 2, 2024, Elisa showed facial discoloration, followed shortly by an alleged cardiac arrest during the extrication process.
BFP EMS personnel immediately administered CPR, but despite the team's efforts, the challenging conditions delayed her removal. She was finally pulled out at 2:25 in the morning and transported to CCMC.
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera confirmed that Elisa was declared dead at 3:20 am.
“Naa pa sa ospital ang bana. Safe na,” said Garganera yesterday when asked of the status of the husband.
The Incident
Based on the investigation conducted by the Labangon Police Station 10-Cebu City Police Office, while the heavy rains were raging, the couple was in their kitchen preparing to cook their food while the other five family members, two of whom are the couple’s children ages 9 and 12, were in their sala.
All of the sudden a loud noise was heard as result of the collapsed riprap, burying the couple. The five other family members managed to escape the tragedy and were all safe.
Police investigator said that the neighbors tried to rescue the couple but the debris was too heavy for them to carry.
City Councilor Jerry Guardo, the City Council’s infrastructure chairman, in a separate interview with The Freeman, said the wall at Deca Homes was initially found to be substandard.
“Sa initial investigation, substandard man to kay wala may mga kabilya nang-gawas. Unya loose soil ang gitambak ra ba,” said Guardo while saying he is still awaiting the final report from the City Engineering and OBO.
Meanwhile, close to 20 other incidents were reported on the first day of December, mainly landslides and flooding.
In the copy of the situational report obtained by The Freeman from the CCDRMO headed by retired fire marshal Aderson Comar, it noted at least 15 barangays in the City affected by the sudden downpour last Sunday.
Knee-deep flooding was reported in several areas in the city, including Brgy. Basak San Nicolas; along Tejero Elementary School; M.J Cuenco Avenue in Brgy. Zapatera; near the Pahina San Nicolas Barangay Hall; and along Citi de Mare in Mambaling.
Waist-deep flood was also reported in some areas in Barangays Tisa, Duljo, and in Tagunol to Basak Pardo.
Aside from flooding, a post along a shopping center in Brgy. San Nicolas caught fire, while an electrical fire was recorded in Sitio Kamansi in Brgy. Mambaling; not to mention a snake was captured in Sitio Nasipit.
A fallen tree was also reported at Sitio Lupa, Brgy Sapangdaku that resulted in the evacuation of one family plus two other individuals.
Landslide incidents, on the other hand, were noted in Proper Buot and Sitio Maaslum in Busay affecting two houses that needed residents to evacuate.
A riprap also collapsed in Brgy. Labangon with four vehicles moved away from its parking spot.
Councilor Guardo said that the existing drainage system of the city got overwhelmed.
“Bundak man gud unya kusog ang uwan, so na-overwhelm gyud ang atong existing drainage sa low-land area, dili ka accommodate sa bigla kayo nga pagbundak sa uwan,” Guardo added.
In the case around Kinasang-an, Pardo area and N.Bacalso, Guardo said it is mainly run-off water from upstream development while diverted water in downtown has also caused flooding in other areas that are not yet completed.
“Ang kaning sa downtown area, and outfall nga padong sa dagat wala pa matrabaho while kaning sa N.Bacalso ang outfall, wala pa pud ni siya na implement ang plano,” Guardo added.
Over at the South Road Properties, its drainage is not in accordance with the city’s drainage masterplan, but Guardo said it is already being looked into by the SRP management board.
“Ang existing drainage diha (SRP) are not really designed to accommodate big volume of water. And with more developments, kailangan gyud ni lihukon na,”Guardo added.
Guardo also said that they are hoping for the completion of the T. Padilla flood control project for it to be connected with the other flood control projects in the neighboring area.
“Once this will be connected, kung naay mga run-off water, minimal na lang dili na kayo mag baha. As long as ma contain lang gyud namo ang water from upstream to downstream, dili na ni mu back-flow. But everything, amo na ning gi address,” Guardo assured.
Gabion dams identified along Ma.Luisa Subdivision and the University of San Carlos in Talamban are also expected to be desilted soon while the city government is also looking at the supposed retention pond around Alta Vista property while also looking at other areas that could possibly contain run-off water.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is also expected to finally realize its planned “connector roads” in the Southern District of the City that is also expected to minimize flooding, Guardo said.- Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Decemay P. Padilla (CEBU NEWS)