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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Misamis Oriental flood victims double
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Rampaging floodwaters again destroyed infrastructures, livestock and crops in 16 municipalities and two cities of Misamis Oriental Wednesday.
At least three people were confirmed dead while one remains missing. Provincial disaster officials now placed the damages on crops and infrastructures at P51 million.
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Teddy Sabuga-a Jr., deputized coordinator of Misamis Oriental Disaster Coordinating Council, said in his report to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Northern Mindanao that Wednesday's downpour doubled the number of affected families and has added two other municipalities to the list of affected areas.
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The total number of affected families has risen to a staggering 14,580 or 75,709 persons, Sabuga-a reported.
As of this posting Wednesday, the number of damaged houses stands at 295 while 97 houses were destroyed by floodwaters.
The Misamis Oriental Disaster Coordinating Council has estimated the total cost of damage at P51,230,862.
Destroyed crops accounted for most of the damages, which is now pegged at P35,455,862. Dikes, spillways and bridges destroyed by the floods were estimated to cost around P9,700,000 while those that were damaged were estimated at P5,560,000. Damage to livestock and livelihood was placed at P515,000.
Sabuga-a said there are now 40 evacuation centers throughout Misamis Oriental. Of these, the Balingoan Elementary School is the most densely populated, sheltering 500 families or 2,500 persons. Second of the most densely populated evacuation centers is the barangay hall of Santiago in Gingoog City, housing some 362 families or 1,810 persons.
The increasing number of evacuees has put a strain on the government's meager food supplies.
City Administrator Grescilda Joson, an official at the City Disaster Coordinating Council, appealed for more donations - food, clothing and other basic needs.
"I must admit that we are already running short of supplies. We need all the help we can get, so please send your donations in any kind to help those that are already in evacuation centers," Joson said.
Joson said donors may send their donations to the City Tourism Hall at the back of City Hall.
Rescue
As early as Tuesday afternoon, authorities have issued radio bulletins warning residents in low-lying areas in the city to evacuate. However, these warnings were largely ignored by residents who thought they could weather the incoming flashfloods.
Around 11 p.m. Tuesday, soldiers who went to Isla Bugnaw, one of the flood-prone areas in the city, were turned away by residents who refused to leave.
By 3 a.m., when the waters in the Cagayan de Oro River rose to more than 12 feet, residents started calling for help. But this time, the rescuers did not come, saying the strong river currents will endanger their lives.
Emil Rana, chief of the Cagayan de Oro Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), said the residents had to endure a nightmarish experience as the rampaging waters, aggravated by the high tide in Macajalar Bay, battered their homes.
"They could not blame the rescuers. They wanted to evacuate the residents when it was still safe to do so but they were ignored. By the time they asked for help, it was already too late," Rana said.
Army soldiers and members of Oro Alert, the City Government rescue team, managed to save two female students trapped in a dormitory behind the amphitheater in Burgos Street, Wednesday dawn.
The rescuers plunged into ten feet of cold water to save the students in a dimly lit alley, using ropes and life vests.
Devastation
The extent of the damage was evident when Wednesday morning came.
In the coastal barangay of Bonbon, strong waves knocked down the sea walls known locally as "bati-bati" that serve to protect the residents.
Bodies of animals, garbage, and logs were strewn all along Bonbon's famous beaches, prompting barangay officials to fear the financial effects on its well-known local resorts.
Barangay Bonbon has five popular beach resorts frequented by local residents. These are the Villagracia, El Dorado, Talisay and Raagas, and Maandig beaches resorts.
Bonbon village councilor Jacky Lynne Biongcog said 50 families who lived near the shores were evacuated after big waves destroyed their houses.
Two subdivisions -- Scions 1 and Scions 2 -- in Barangay Canitoan, this city were also swamped by the swollen Iponan River. Residents had to climb to their rooftops to escape the flashflood.
Anthony Brilleta, barangay chair of nearby Iponan, said 47 houses near the Iponan River were washed away.
"We are feeding 456 families. Please help us," Brilleta said.
In its new weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (Pagasa) said Cagayan de Oro residents should brace for more rains in the next five days. (CBC/ALR/Lynde Salgados/D.V. Adorador III/Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (January 15, 2009 issue)
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