HUGE waves have been pummeling the coastline of Barangays Poblacion and Cansojong in Talisay City since Monday, damaging the houses of 48 families.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said meter-high waves were caused by the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” and exacerbated by winds brought about by tropical depression Henry, which is currently leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
At least 28 families living in Sitios Asan Poblacion, Psalm Bay and Mahayahay in Barangay Poblacion were forced to leave their homes temporarily after two- to four-meter waves lashed at their houses.
Staying put
Poblacion Barangay Captain Edward Alesna told SunStar Cebu that majority of the affected residents are fisherfolk. Some of them have already evacuated and moved in with relatives living nearby, but some refuse to leave their belongings, he said.
Following the incident, Alesna recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in the barangay to provide aid to affected residents in the three sitios.
Aside from providing them with food, Alesna said they also plan to use the calamity funds to assist affected families in repairing or rebuilding homes that were damaged by the waves.
In Cansojong, 20 households in Sitios Asan Cansojong and Sitio Abalo were also affected by the habagat, said Barangay Captain Vicente Oberez.
Oberez said they have started providing relief aid to the affected families, who have been evacuated with their relatives as of Monday.
Alice Canasa, Pagasa Mactan weather specialist, said that moderate to rough seas are expected in the next couple of days due to the southwest monsoon.
With seas continue to be rough, Provincial Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Office information officer Julius Regner advised the public to be careful, especially if they live on the shore or are planning to make a trip in a motorbanca.
Regner urged coastal residents to watch out for high waves that could damage or destroy their houses.
He also advised those traveling by motorbanca to check if their vessel has enough safety measures to cope with the adverse weather condition.
Regner said that government agencies like the Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority should monitor operators of unlicensed motorbancas.