Yolanda shows soft spot for Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu cities

CEBU, Philippines - Super typhoon Yolanda yesterday spared Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities from its wrath, with only two persons having been reported injured.

In Mandaue City, a man in barangay Maguikay was taken to the  Mandaue City Hospital after getting hit by a falling G.I. sheet as he ventured out of his house while the typhoon raged.

In barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, a man fell from a tree while trimming it.

Lawyer Jamaal James Calipayan, the secretary of Mayor Jonas Cortes, said the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge were unscathed.

The city’s major thoroughfares were passable as soon as the typhoon exited, he said.

He said the 2,300 families that crowded evacuation centers have already gone home but families that reside near the Butuanon River and the Mahiga creek were told to stay put until the rains stop.

Calipayan said the city has assured the families of continued assistance until they return to their homes.

In Lapu-Lapu City, only 20 houses in Sta. Rosa Island have been damaged. No one was reported injured.

Aside from the 20 houses, the tower of Smart telecommunication company in barangay Suba-basbas was toppled, parts of the roofing of the Lapu-Lapu public market and the Olango police station were also damaged.

The city experienced a power outage as the typhoon raged but the Mactan Electric Company assured Radaza that power would return by midnight as the company waits for Leyte’s transmission line to start again. (FREEMAN)