CEBU, Philippines — A man living under a bridge in Cebu City who was among those preventively evacuated due to tropical storm Auring died dawn yesterday.
He was identified as Reynaldo Arquisola, a resident of Mambaling.
Arquisola was brought to San Nicolas gym around 9 p.m. Sunday, together with other individuals staying under the bridge near the boundary of Barangays Duljo-Fatima and Mambaling. He was reportedly seen having difficulty breathing when dropped off at the gym.
As rescue missions for other individuals, including the homeless, were still ongoing, Arquisola was told to take a rest first in a separate area.
John Agarao of the City’s Social Welfare Services told The FREEMAN that they were supposed to bring Arquisola to the hospital but San Nicolas Proper officials had informed them that he had died.
“Mga ala-una (kadlawon) to namatay. Wa naman nilihok. Masakiton na gyud to daan diay, wala madala dayon sa hospital. Abi sa mga naa sa gym nga natug ra. Kami pud na busy mi kay naa puy naa sa barangay hall nag-stay,” said San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal.
Niñal said the CSWS personnel pulled out the body right away and sent it to St. Bernard Funeral Homes.
The family of Arquisola has already been identified and informed about the development. The city government has also pledged assistance for his burial.
200 Mendicants Rescued
Meanwhile, at least 200 mendicants in Cebu City were rescued on Sunday night and provided temporary shelter to ensure their safety from the threats of tropical storm Auring.
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) officer-in-charge Ramil Ayuman said of the more than 200 street dwellers rescued, 120 are currently housed at Barangay San Nicolas Proper gym, while 94, including minors, are at Barangay Tejero gym.
Ayuman said these rescued individuals were also provided with food. — Mary Ruth R. Malinao, JMD (FREEMAN)