After flooding in Consolacion: State of calamity in 11 barangays

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipal Council of Consolacion has declared a state of calamity in 11 of the 21 barangays of the northern town that was hit by floods earlier this week.

This as the search party found the body of a six-year-old boy in the Butuanon River in Mandaue a day after he was reported missing when he was carried away by flood waters.

The Consolacion Council declared a state of calamity in Barangays Cansaga, Pitogo, Nangka, Jugan, Danlag, Garing, Panas, Lanipga, Panoypoy, Tilhaong, and Tayud.

Town Mayor Teresa Alegado directed Vice Mayor Aurelio Damole to call a special session yesterday for the urgent matter.

The 11 barangays out under the state of calamity were determined based on the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

The Municipal Council also decided to initially use P2.4 million from the calamity funds for the relief operations.

Some of the money would also be spent to repair damaged roads and bridges.

More than 500 families from the said barangays were affected by floods after last Monday’s heavy rains.

Massive flooding was reported in Barangays Cansaga, Pitogo, Nangka, and Jugan.

In Barangays Garing, Panas, Lanipga, Panoypoy, Tilhaong, and Tayud, there has been damage to infrastructure.

Landslides were also reported to have occurred in Barangays Garing and Panas.

The landslides blocked roads and toppled some electrical posts, causing traffic congestion and power outage, town officials said.

In Barangay Pitogo, 417 individuals from 97 families were transferred to chapels and day care centers.

Sitio Laray of Barangay Pitogo was also hit by floods.

The 105 families living near Cansaga Bay were evacuated after the river overflowed and they were brought to Cansaga Sports Complex.

The municipal government utilized the Consolacion Covered Court, Cansaga Gym, and Pitogo Chapel as evacuation centers.

The municipal council was also informed that the approach of the Jugan-Tayud Bridge caved-in and needs to be repaired.

Personnel from the Municipal Social Welfare Office distributed an initial relief goods and ready to eat food to the victims.

Doctors and nurses also visited the affected families.

Found dead

The body of 6-year-old John Lloyd Cañete of Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City was found early yesterday morning.

He suffered several contusions and lacerations and the body was already bloated.

Neil Sanchez, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson, told The FREEMAN that the boy was reportedly playing near the Butuanon River when the strong current carried him away.

Sanchez urges parents and guardians to be more aware of their children’s whereabouts especially during rainy season to prevent similar unfortunate incidents.

Further, he asks residents living near rivers to move to safer ground during heavy rain.

Capitol to the rescue

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano distributed relief goods yesterday to flood victims in Consolacion.

One hundred packs of relief goods containing kitchenware, mat, blanket, plastic plates and glasses were initially distributed to families identified by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

Earlier yesterday, Capitol also distributed food to affected families, said Provincial Social Welfare Assistant Wilson Ramos.

Consolacion MSWD Officer Flor Bagasbas said that their office initially assessed almost 300 affected families.

There are 116 in barangay Pitogo; 125 in barangay Cansaga, and 38 in barangay Nangka.

Bagasbas said that they are still assessing affected families in other barangays.

Garcia, who visited barangay Pitogo yesterday, assured the affected families of the assistance from the provincial government.

Mayor Alegado said the municipal government will be acquiring a property to be used as relocation site for the affected families.

Garcia assured assistance for the acquisition of the said property.

Garcia also ordered Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre yesterday to find ways on how to improve the drainage system of the municipality to prevent future flooding. — with Gregg M. Rubio/NLQ (FREEMAN)