"It felt like end of the world"

CEBU, Philippines - Aid immediately reached 500 individuals affected by what has been described as a combination of a whirlwind and a hailstorm that hit three mountain barangays of Pinamungajan town last Thursday.

This was how 52-year-old Generoso Gracia described the phenomenon.

A total of 96 houses were damaged and 56 others were wiped out in the 15-minute ordeal that hit the sleepy mountain barangays of Lamac, Pung-ol and Sibago.

Pinamungajan lies on the west coast of Cebu Province and is about 65 kilometers from the heart of Cebu City.

Worst hit was Purok African Daisy where several houses were wiped out.

Most of the houses in the area were made of light materials. Residents of the said barangays rely mostly on agriculture as their means of livelihood.

Gracia was inside his house when the whirlwind hit at about 1:15 in the afternoon.

He just noticed that it was very cold and the winds were fierce. There was no thunder but he noticed lightning.

“Ang liti nagtagbo. Ang hangin isog kaayo. Nakaingon ko bahinon man kaha ning langit tingali. Ang ako lang ato nga ug diri na mang lang gyud gani mi kutob, unta magkatapok lang mi sa akong pamilya,” (There was lots of lightning. The wind howled. I thought that the heavens would split up. I even thought that it was our end and I was hoping my whole family was together) Gracia said.

He said that the strong winds shook his house and his head got hit by ice that was as big as a fist.

His brother Panio was wounded on his shoulder, his nephew, Virgilio Mahusay, was also wounded on the ear. They were working on their house when the whirlwind and hailstorm occurred.

Victor and Juliet Demol’s house was totally turned upside down.

Juliet, 23, was inside with her 3-year-old son, Johnvic, when it happened, she hurt her right shoulder and luckily the boy was spared.

“Kusog kaayo, gigakos na lang gyud nako akong anak ug nipiyong ko. Pagbuka sa akong mata, mao na lang akong namatngonan nga ang among salog tua na sa ibabaw unya ang akong gitumban ang amo nang sin nga atup kay nabali na diay ang among balay,” (It was very strong, I hugged my son tight and closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I noticed that our floor was above us and my feet were on the galvanized iron roof as our house was already upside down) Juliet said.

Her husband was not in the house when it happened.

Juliet said when it was through she was just crying and hugging her son.

Tessie Ortega, 39, of Purok Sampaguita, Barangay Lamac, said it was the first time that they experienced cloudy skies and a drizzle which led to a whirlwind and hail storm.

Ortega said some of the hail stones pierced the roof of their houses when it rained ice for about two minutes. She said the ground was totally covered by hail stones which reached their ankles when they stepped out to survey the damage.

The hail stones later melted but the water puddles it created were very cold.

Aid   delivered

Rep. Pablo John Garcia of the 3rd District and his sister Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, immediately sent relief assistance yesterday morning.

Gov. Garcia said that as early as 7:00 in the morning, personnel of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office sent boxes of sardines, noodles, assorted clothing, mats, kitchenware, blankets and powdered milk to the area.

Garcia said that cash assistance can possibly be extended to the victims especially those whose houses were totally damaged.

Rep. Garcia was in the area, which is part of his district, early yesterday.

Other government agencies also sent aid as well as the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

Clearing

According to Glenn Baricuatro, chief of staff of Rep. Pablo John Garcia, they are almost 100 percent done with the clearing operation.

Baricuatro said that as of 6 o’clock last night, they were about to clear Sitio Luy-a in Barangay Sampaguita.

Baricuatro added that major crops of the town like rice, banana plants, and coconut trees were devastated.

“I could not determine the amount but dako gyud, it is the Department of Agriculture who can evaluate it,” he told The FREEMAN on a phone interview.

Baricuatro also added that 20 personnel of the Toledo City were also assisting them in pulling the debris of the damaged houses.

He assured that the clearing operations will be done before 8 o’clock last night.

“Gauwan ngari so mahunong gyud mi pero dugay ra nang 8:00 p.m. mahuman na ni namo,” (It is raining here so we had to stop, but we should be done by 8 p.m.) he said.

Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin, 78th IB battalion commander, said one platoon of soldiers was sent to the area to help out.

The Department of Engineering of Public Works through Engr. James Dellosa has also sent equipment to the area.

Personnel from nearby Barili and Balamban towns also helped out.

The victims are temporarily staying with relatives.—with Gregg P. Rubio and Ria Mae Booc/NLQ (FREEMAN)