Relocation Of 200 Riverbank Residents Urged

[Mr Lee]

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/relocati...residents-urged Relocation of 200 riverbank residents urgedFriday, January 2, 2009 DUMAGUETE CITY -- Governor Emilio Macias II recommended the immediate relocation of more than 200 families living along riverbanks in this city after a hundred homes were flooded Wednesday, hours before the New Year.Macias, who visited the flood victims, said the families who built houses along Banica River are vulnerable to flashfloods, especially during rainy season.He said bad weather that causes flashfloods is not easy to predict due to climate change."In fact, this is the first time that a flashflood surged Banica River. Nahubas na man gani unta ni," Macias said.The Banica River, whose water source comes from the watershed of Valencia town, passes through the boundaries of Barangays Candau-ay and Balugo, Batinguel and Cadawinonan, Taclobo and Junob, Poblacion 8 and Tabuc-tubig, and Poblacion 2 and Calindagan, all of Dumaguete.The City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) reported that a total of 14 houses from three barangays -- Candau-ay, Batinguel, and Poblacion -- were destroyed by a great surge of water around 9 p.m. on December 31. Ten of the 14 houses were swept away by the strong current, while the four others only had their posts left standing.City Administrator Dominador Dumalag Jr. told Sun.Star that three houses in Barangay Candau-ay, another three in Barangay Batinguel, and eight in Barangay Poblacion 8 were destroyed. At least 120 homes in Barangay Valencia were also flooded, destroying the residents' clothes, appliances, and livestock.No one, however, was reported injured in the floods.The total cost of damage has yet to be determined.Heavy rains in the mountain town of Valencia reportedly caused the sudden overflow of the river.Primitiva de Leon, of Batinguel, said she and her neighbors are willing to be transferred to safer places, but they do not know where. De Leon's house was destroyed by the flashfloods.A massacre survivor, Ronel Burdas, wanted to rebuild his shelter but he does not know where to get the fund to buy even light materials. Burdas's nepa hut was also swept away. His wife and two sons were killed by a relative eight years ago. "Wa mi kabalhinan (We have nowhere to transfer to)," said Enelita Gravanza of Barangay Candau-ay. Gravanza escaped with her children from the strong water surge. Governor Macias said the Provincial Government is willing to help the city relocate the affected residents. "But the city should be the one to initiate" the first move.For his part, Engineer Dumalag said the city has no property available for relocation. He said Mayor Agustin Perdices had earlier advised residents who built houses along the riverbanks to transfer to safer places.However, Barangay Poblacion chief Raul Infante said residents in his barangay are not willing to transfer. He explained that majority of them are dependent on their livelihood in the public market. (Victor L. Camion/Sunnex)

[Mr Lee]

Flood victims swell to 30TMonday, January 5, 2009 Cagayan de Oro City -- At least 30,000 persons were already affected by the flashfloods in Northern Mindanao, with seven others reported missing, disaster coordinating councils said Sunday.City disaster officials updated Sunday the number of residents affected by last Saturday's flashfloods in this city alone to 5,680 families or 28,376 persons.Two of the seven missing were already identified as Angel Vencio, 6, and Christina Dapusala, 5. Regional Director Carmelito Lupo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Northern Mindanao said they are still searching for Vencio and Dapusala who got missing at the height of the flood.Lupo said some 24 houses were swept away, but these do not include those in Barangay Macasandig.The disaster coordinating center listed 20 houses in Barangay Balulang that were destroyed by the floods. Four, on the other hand, was listed in Barangay Gusa, where several houses were also damaged. Lupo said the affected barangays are 6, 7, 13, 15, 17, Carmen, Balulang, Consolacion, Gusa, Taguanao Indahag, Kauswagan, Macasandig and Tablon, all in this city.Of the barangays, Lupo said the hardest hit were Macasandig, 1,988 families or 9,930 persons; Consolacion, 1,488 families or 7,440 persons; Carmen, 581 families or 2,906 persons; Barangay 13, 815 families or 3,075 persons; Balulang, 500 families or 2,500 persons; Barangay 15 with 250 families or 1,250 persons; Barangay 17, 92 families or 460 persons; Barangay 7, 65 families or 325 persons; Barangay 6, 38 families or 190 persons; Gusa, 28 families or 115 persons; Kauswagan, 22 families or 110 persons; and Tablon, 15 families or 75 persons.The flood victims are now appealing for donations like sleeping mats, blanket, used clothes, slippers and kitchen utensils, including pots and pans.Read the whole story, click on the link below http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/flood-victims-swell-30t