Thursday, January 15, 2009 Waves flog Cebu towns, Lapu islet
THREE southern towns reported the loss of several homes and decided to evacuate coastal residents, as large waves threatened their safety last Tuesday.
In Metro Cebu, big waves swept away a house and damaged 25 others in the small islet of Caubian, Lapu-Lapu City that same night.
There were no confirmed reports of missing persons or injuries, but the weather bureau warned the frequent rains and gusts will persist for the next three days.
No tropical depression is in sight, but the tail end of a cold front and the northeast monsoon will keep the seas “very rough” in Northern and Eastern Mindanao, as well as Eastern Visayas.
If the bad weather continues, the Coast Guard may be compelled to order changes in Saturday’s fluvial procession.
Ginatilan Mayor Dean Michael Singco told Sun.Star by text message last night that they were evacuating coastal residents before the high tide, expected at 1 a.m.
More than 50 houses were damaged earlier in five coastal barangays, with Looc and Guiwanon among the worst hit, Singco said.
In Santander, Mayor Wilson Wenceslao estimated the damage to crops and properties at P750,000 as of yesterday, but assured that food and other relief goods were already distributed to affected households.
At least 56 households were evacuated from the coastal barangay of Canlumakad, he said, as huge waves threatened the area. They temporarily took shelter in the barangay hall and day care center.
Samboan Mayor Raymond Calderon confirmed at least five coastal houses were destroyed in his town, and that portions of the national road and seawall in Barangays Suba and Tangbo were damaged.
In Lapu-Lapu, Caubian barangay officials evacuated coastal residents at nightfall Tuesday after seeing how rough the water was.
City Attorney Vincent Joseph Lim said they learned of the incident yesterday morning and that the initial count revealed 12 houses were damaged. By afternoon, however, City Hall’s nerve center received another report that a total of 25 families sought temporary shelter in the barangay hall and Caubian National High School building.
The water level rose past 11 p.m., wrecking the house of Victoria Ayeng.
City Administrator Teodulo Ybañez said a relief team from the city engineering office and the social welfare office were sent yesterday morning to distribute canned goods and other food supplies to the victims and to evaluate the situation.
They will advise the residents when it may be safe to return home. However, Ybañez saw no need to declare the islet a calamity area.
Caubian is a 90-minute boat ride from mainland Lapu-Lapu City. Its residents rely on fishing as a source of income.
Residents of Olango Island’s shores were also advised to seek higher ground before the water level rises further. (AIV)
