Residents advised anew to live away from rivers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is strongly urging people living near rivers to transfer now to safer areas after three rivers overflowed due to heavy rain Wednesday night.

“Kinahanglan gyud nga makapangita sila paagi nga mobalhin kay peligro gyud kaayo (They must,” said City Councilor David Tumulak, City Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCRRMC) head, in an interview with TV 5 AKSYON Bisaya.

Five families were evacuated due to the heavy rain while more than 3,000 residents were affected, when Kinalumsan River, Tejero River and Mahiga River overflowed.

  Flooding occurred around 11 p.m. and lasted for almost two hours, causing problems to motorists and commuters, and particularly affecting Barangays Lorega San Miguel, Parian, and Talamban in Cebu City and Tipolo in Mandaue City.

Cebu City Rivers Management Council Chairman Jose Daluz III earlier said that the city government has always been monitoring the rivers in the city, hence the response Wednesday night.

Simeon Romarate, CCRRMC executive director, said they are always alert for any eventualities, and coordinates the city’s 80 barangays in city when assistance is needed.

 “Ang mga kapitan sa ilang mga barangay ang motawag namo kon maglisod na sila. Sila man ang nakahibawo sa ilang mga lugar (The barangay captains are the ones who could contact us if they are experiencing difficulty already.  They are more familiar with their place),” Romarate said.

The city government has seven ambulances, 20 fire-trucks, and 28 Kaohsiung buses that could be used during emergencies.  (FREEMAN)