Agaton leaves 2 dead in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Two people died in Malabuyoc town as tropical depression Agaton dumped continuous rains in southern Cebu and in the Metro Cebu cities since the start of New Year.

Toledo City, for one, greeted 2018 with floods.

Southern Cebu was placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as Agaton made landfall in the southernmost town of Santander at 5 a.m. yesterday. The storm signal was lifted hours later at 11 a.m.

In Malabuyoc, the fatalities were identified as Flora Andrade, 64, of Barangay Looc and Ritchie Pimentel, 39, of Barangay Sto. Niño.

Malabuyoc Mayor Lito Creus said Andrade died as she and her family was fleeing to safety just three days after moving into their home.

The family was leaving the house when Andrade decided to go back inside to get something. While she was there, the cliff nearby eroded and big chunk of soil destroyed one of the walls of the house and hit Andrade. She did not make it to the hospital alive.

Andrade’s family was among those who heeded the local government’s call to evacuate as their area is classified as prone to landslide and flash flood.

"Rain-induced landslides caused the rocks and mud to slip and hit their walls that caused the death of Andrade. It is apparent that the concrete house was built without risk assessment or clearance from MGB or OBO," said Baltazar Tribunalo, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Pimentel, on the other hand, succumbed to an injury in the head after he slipped and fell from the stairs at his house.

At that time, there was no electricity owing to the bad weather.

"He fell from the second floor of their house at around 4 a.m. When he went down due to the rain, it was too dark due to the power outage.

There was no side cover or holder going to their stairs. He accidentally fell according to his mother. His head hit the cemented floor that caused the instant death of Ritchel," Tribunalo said.

Strictly speaking, however, Pimental’s death cannot be considered as being caused by the tropical depression, said Jules Regner, executive assistant at PDRRMO.

The Malabuyoc government has given the two families financial assistance at P5,000 each.

Creus said at least five coastal barangays in the town do not have drinking water after a supply pipe broke. Fire trucks will be supplying the barangays with water.

Based on data gathered by PDRRMO, Agaton caused landslides and flash floods. Landslides were recorded in Barangay Looc in Malabuyoc and Barangay Looc in Ginatilan. The two barangays are located near each other, although belonging to different municipalities.

Flooding and overflowing rivers were recorded in the cities of Carcar, Mandaue, and Toledo, as well as in the towns of Barili, Dumanjug, and Ginatilan.

Upper Beceril in Boljoon experienced minor soil erosion and the Lusapon River overflowed. The town is still under a state of calamity since November last year.

Boljoon Mayor Merlou Derama has cancelled classes in Boljoon Central Elementary School and Boljoon National High School in Barangay Poblacion, as well as its national high school extension in Barangay Lonok.

"Their schools were flooded and muds are still in their classrooms. The teachers and parents with volunteers will come tomorrow to clean up their schools with LGU and BFP support," Tribunalo said.

Flooding was also experienced in Barangays Pakanaan and Casuntingan in Mandaue City after the Butuanon River swelled early morning yesterday.

Acting mayor Carlo Fortuna said around 200 families were advised to evacuate but most of them reportedly stayed put. The areas affected include a relocation site, Zone Ahos, and Zone Talong in Barangay Paknaan and part of Barangay Casuntingan.

After the water subsided, personnel of the city’s Social Welfare Services distributed hot meals to the families affected.

"The most we can do now is warning and evacuating the residents," Fortuna said.

In Cebu City, the disaster team recorded no untoward incident.

“Kalooy sa Ginoo, magpasalamt ta nga walay kadaot nga gihatag si TD Agaton,” said Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO).

Kevin Sanchez, a councilman in the mountain barangay of Busay, said only a minor erosion was recorded in the barangay, which is prone to landslides.

“Aside sa may Mt. View nga ni-erode ang yuta, pero gamay ra, unya naay natuwad laya nga kahoy ganina mga 3am (yesterday dawn) pagkusog sa hangin pero na clear ra dayon nato uban sa mga tanods,” he said.

Agaton is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today. In its 5 p.m. report yesterday, PAGASA said Agaton may turn into a Tropical Storm as it reaches the West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA recorded the highest rainfall in Maasin City in Southern Leyte followed by Surigao City and Tacloban City from 8 a.m. on January 1 until 8 a.m. on January 2. Lorraine Mitzi A. Ambrad, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, May Clydyl L. Avila (FREEMAN)