300 houses in danger zone near dam

CEBU, Philippines - Around 300 households in barangay Buhisan near the Buhisan Dam live within the danger zone as listed by barangay officials. Barangay Captain Ramil Rago said they forwarded the list to the Cebu City Government.

Considered to be within the danger zone are six sitios namely Eskwelahan, Sandayong, Lower Puti, Dam, Puso and Taytayan.

The barangay yesterday conducted a public consultation with affected residents at the multi-purpose complex.

Explained were matters discussed the day before in an emergency meeting among barangay officials, acting mayor Edgar Labella, Councilor Dave Tumulak and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council operations officer Alvin Santillana.

As agreed, the community will employ the traditional "bagting" (bell) to warn of impending disaster like flooding, landslide, or even earthquake.

"As suggested by Councilor Dave (Tumulak), the bagting system is more reliable than cellphones and handheld radio since power supply is one of the first paralyzed during disasters. We simply ring the bell and the people will know that those at the danger zone need to evacuate," Buhisan barangay councilman Gremar Barete said.

To cut cost, they plan to recycle a used oxygen tank to substitute as a bell.

Designated as evacuation centers in case of calamity are Buhisan Elementary School and barangay multipurpose complex.

Another major concern raised before the residents is the implementation of three-meter easement zone.

"As part of implementing the easement zone, our priority is relocation for the affected homes. The barangay is eyeing sitio Taytayan with an area of about 2,000 or 8,000 square meters," Barete said.

Despite assurance from Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) that the water level at the dam is not alarming, Rago expressed the same worry as Labella following an ocular inspection Sunday.

"If for them (MCWD) it is still normal, we feel that this is already alarming. We saw water spilling last Sunday and we believe it is posing danger to our community especially we have houses near the river," he explained.

He added that this is the first time in years that they witnessed spilling. They are asking that previously agreed system be employed to prevent flooding over spilled water from the dam.

"Hopefully they grant our request to make sure that water is only up to 3/4 from the maximum capacity. This way, the remaining 1/4 will be allotted for rainwater. This was done before. We can do it again," Rago said.

Meanwhile, six of 15 trees in nearby barangay Toong have been cleared by the CCDRRMC hazardous trees response team following a landslide that hit the rear portion of Toong Elementary School Sunday morning.

Students from grades 1, 5 and 6 were temporarily transferred when clearing started Monday afternoon. — (FREEMAN)