Sinsin folk back to evacuation site

The Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council has ordered the barangay officials of Sinsin to instruct the families who were earlier evacuated to the Sudlon barangay complex because of the threat of landslide to go back to the evacuation center.

The city disaster council also yesterday warned people who are living on the banks of rivers and creeks and landslide-prone areas to transfer to safer ground because rains are still expected to last for three days due to typhoon “Frank”.

The CCDCC also recommended for the cancellation of classes in Baksan Elementary School in barangay Sapangdaku and the Buot-Taup Elementary School because of the threat of flooding.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, CCDCC action officer, said they have instructed the barangay officials to monitor the rivers and creeks in their areas and immediately facilitate evacuation of residents if there is unusual increase in the volume of water.

They were also told to trim and cut down the big trees in their barangays that are near the houses and power lines to prevent accidents.

The disaster council yesterday had a meeting with the officials of the barangay, Department of Education, organization of outdoor advertisers, and the City Hall offices and other agencies that are involved in disaster preparedness.

Yesterday afternoon, Sinsin barangay officials also evacuated back to the Sudlon barangay complex the residents who are living within the landslide-prone areas.

Sinsin barangay captain Ramon Ylaya, Jr. said that there are now some 30 families who are temporarily sheltered in the sports complex.

“We have not yet noticed any soil movement, but we already evacuated them because we want to ensure the safety of the residents,” he said.

On May 14, the CCDCC implemented forced evacuation of 20 families in sitio Nangka following the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to ensure their safety because of the May 2 landslide that affected the area. 

But early this month, many of the residents returned to their homes because of the lack of food, claiming the city and the barangay have stopped providing assistance to them.

Ylaya said they allowed the residents to go back to their homes, but only during days without rain.  At night and during rainy days, they are required to go back to the evacuation center.

The MGB said earlier that the soil in the area is soft and there are many visible cracks that pose imminent danger to the residents, the reason why they suggested for the evacuation of the families living there. — Wenna A. Berondo/MEEV