CEBU, Philippines - A 73-year-old man remained missing as of last night after he was washed away by the strong current of the Butuanon River in Mandaue City yesterday afternoon.
The Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office identified the man as Faustino “Tinoy” Tulod, a resident of Sitio Salvacion, Barangay Maguikay.
The incident happened at around 2 p.m. near the landfill in Barangay Paknaan.
MCDRRMC chief Felix Suico said Tulod went near the river to retrieve a pail but he slipped and fell into the water and was taken away by the strong current.
“Na-slide na siya pagkuha sa balde anaa daplin sa sapa. Kusog man ang baha, naanod ni siya,” Suico said.
Tulod’s son reportedly saw what happened and tried to save his father but the strong current prevented him from doing so. The child rushed to the neighboring village where the river flows but he only saw the pail his father was trying to get.
Rescuers failed to locate Tulod as of 5 p.m. yesterday and Suico said it is possible he might have been washed to shore.
“Mura’g wa na na siya diri sa sapa. Mura’g naanod na na siya sa baybayon,” Suico said.
He said Tulod was actually familiar with the river because he would earn from ferrying residents in the area who wish to cross it.
Talisay rain
Also yesterday afternoon, hundreds of motorists were stranded when water from the river overflowed during a heavy downpour in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City.
Councilor Danny Caballero told The Freeman that the water in the river rose fast and overflowed into the spillway, which was built by QM Builders, contractor of the road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“Gamay kaayo ug buslot ang culvert nila maoy hinungdan nga ni overflow ang tubig ug dili na makaagi ang mga motorista,” Caballero said.
The water reportedly rose up to the waist.
Willie Abatayo, project supervisor of QM Builders, said they have cleared the rocks at the spillway to make way for the water to flow. Heavy equipment was used to the remove sand and gravel blocking the road.
The motorists were stranded at the re-route road built by the contractor.
Gina Labajo, 40, said that they were surprised of the quick rise of the water.
“Ang ilaha man gud nga gihunahuna nga ma-kabarato sila sa gastuhan kun ingon ana nga re-route ilang buhaton,” she said.
Caballero said he has suggested to QM Builders to repair or enhance the spillway.
“Wa man gud nila gihunahuna ug unsa ang positive impact ug ang negative impact kun ingon ana ra ang ilang buhaton nga alternative road,” Caballero added.
No injury was reported. — /JMO (FREEMAN)