TWO Baguio workers died, four went missing, while one survived after floodwaters submerged a Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) tunnel project at General Nakar, Quezon Province.
On August 13, Angat dam’s flood control gate gave away and filled the diversion tunnel of MWSS trapping Roland Sanchez, Danny Harnois, Ferdie Sanadan, Salvador Paclin, Simeon Sig-od, David Guiagui Jr. and one still unidentified male who is also believed from the city.
The workers were constructing the tunnel to divert water from the Sumag River in Quezon to Angat Dam in Bulacan.
The P717-million project belonged to the Cavite Ideal International Construction.
Authorities immediately conducted search and rescue operations for the missing workers after the incident.
Paclin was the lone survivor found on Saturday while the bodies of Sig-od and Guiagui Jr. were found early morning Monday along Sumag River.
Paclin’s wife Elvie said rescuers are still looking for the other four workers while the company has not yet revealed the identity of the seventh miner.
Presently, Philex Mines of Padcal Operations in Tuba, Benguet were also deployed to help in the retrieval operations together with divers and army soldiers.
Rescuers reveal retrieval operations are challenging because the site can only be reached after a five-hour boat ride and a five-hour trek from General Nakar town.
Class suspension
Due to torrential rains and wind caused by the Southwest monsoon, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan suspended classes for pre-school, and elementary at around five in the morning.
“Last night they have already asked if we will suspend classes but we haven’t decided yet because it’s too early to announce it. Kaya inannounce namin mga five o’clock na,” Domogan told Sun.Star Baguio.
Domogan explained they had to wait for the early morning weather update of Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Baguio weather bureau.
“Kailangan careful tayo sa pag announce kasi paano pag inannounce mo na suspend ang classes then sa umaga ok naman na pala ang weather sayang yung araw na hindi pagpasok ng mga bata,” Domogan stated.
If there is a class suspension, teachers and students are required to have makeup classes during Saturday within the month.
“If there are typhoon signals, kung malakas ang hangin at ulan we will suspend immediately ngayon naman kasi ay wala tayong typhoon signal. Hinihintay talaga natin ang update ng Pagasa at priority pa rin natin ang safety ng ating mga constituents,” Domogan said.
Meanwhile, City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council officer II Julius Santos said their team have been disseminating information and monitoring all barangays since Thursday when monsoons and low-pressure areas struck the city.
“We are on tight watch sa flood prone areas lalo na kapag maulan and pati na rin sa mga barangays which are at risks on soil erosion,” Santos told Sun.Star Baguio.
Flood prone in the city include the six barangays of City Camp lagoon while areas prone to landslide are Irisan and Kias.
“Kadalasan na reason ng flooding is if the drainage at city camp lagoon are clogged with debris or garbage, kaya nag linis narin naman ang mga barangays affected ng drainage systems nila,” Santos said.