Parts of Metro Cebu, particularly Cebu City and Mandaue City, experienced one of the most devastating floods of the year on October 13, 2020, wherein three lives were lost and damages to properties were reported.
CEBU CITY
Netizens shared photos and videos of the flood from different areas in Cebu City.
The first casualty reported was Flavio Gonzaga Detuya, an 85-year old resident of Sitio Creekside, Brgy. Lorega San Miguel who died last Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 10 p.m.
Detuya was found unconscious after being trapped in his house that was submerged in floodwater caused by the nearby Kamputhaw River overflowing. It was believed that the man slipped when floodwaters entered his house, according to Ramil Ayuman, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO).
He was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
The very next morning, Leonardo Otto, 48 years old, was found dead after being carried away in the flash flood as he crossed a creek in Busay, Cebu City.
In a video shared on social media, Otto attempted to cross a creek despite the fast currents from the flood due to heavy rainfall, afterwards, screams of terror could be heard in the video as he was carried away by the current.
His body was found dead in a portion of Sitio Bakilid in Upper Laguerta, Brgy, Busay, Cebu City.
Another unfortunate fatality was Hansel Dayundon, a 14-year old boy whose body was found under a bridge near General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City, on October 15, 2020, 30 hours after the flooding.
His guardian, Lucia Maribiles, stated that he was with his friends the last time he was seen alive. According to her, Dayundon was sleeping under the bridge when the rain started.
“Gipukaw kuno na siya sa iyang kauban. Unya, niingon ra man daw siya nga musunod ra daw siya.” said Lucia in an interview with Cebu Daily News Digital.
None of his friends knew where he went as he told his friends that he would follow after, but when he woke up the flood was too high for him to cross.
Members of the retrieval operation had a hard time finding the missing boy because of some debris and the structures of some buildings near the area.
Ayuman stated that the flooding and landslides have affected at least 20 barangays in Cebu City.
The barangays with the most number of residents displaced aside from Kamputhaw were Talamban, Kalunasan, Pulangbato, Pit-os, Malubog, and Sambag 2.
The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) provided assistance to the affected barangays.
MANDAUE CITY
In Mandaue City, 2802 individuals were affected by the flood and landslide caused by the heavy downpour.
The Barangays affected were Umapad, Maguikay, Tabok, Paknaan, Alang-Alang, and Casuntingan.
According to Felix Suico, operations head of the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO), the water level in some areas was high.
"In our observation, it was really a heavy downpour because the Butuanon River has overflowed. In (Sitio) Laray (in Barangay Umapad) the water is neck high, and I am 5'7"," he said.
People were asked by the MCDRRMO to evacuate the area yet they refused, so only 26 individuals from 6 families were evacuated during the flood.
On the other hand, a landslide in Sitio San Jose, Maguikay destroyed a total of 10 houses and affected 60 individuals while another landslide damaged two houses in Almer's compound in Barangay Tabok.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
The Cebu City Department of Public Services (DPS) reported on October 14 that they have collected 140 tons of garbage from waterways in the City.
Multiple cases of deaths due to the flood alerted the Cebu City government to inspect all rivers and waterways for obstructions.
They have also started clearing roads of mud and solid waste in different areas in the city.
Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella said in a Facebook post that he has already instructed CCDRRMO Head Ramil Ayuman to identify and remove structures that obstruct the creeks in the city.
As of October 16, 2020, Mayor Labella has continued to update the public with the waterways clearing operations in the city.
“Several teams from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) continue to conduct massive declogging operations as part of the City Government's flood control measures.” the Mayor said in a Facebook post.
On the other hand, the creation of a barangay task force in Mandaue City, especially those near the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers, was carried out by the Mandaue City Government.
The barangay task force will monitor their respective danger zones or flood-prone areas, and serve as one of the measures to address the flooding problems in the city.
They also plan clearing the riverbanks from informal settlers who are at high risk of floods, and will use schools as evacuation centers.
The disaster management offices from Cebu City and Mandaue City continue to remind the public of proper waste segregation and waste disposal, as it will be their way of helping the community.
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