Landslide destroys 2 houses in Kalunasan

CEBU, Philippines - Two houses were damaged in Barangay Kalunasan while the road going to the mountain Barangay Pamutan in Cebu City was impassable because of the landslides brought about by the continued downpour since Saturday.

About 200 houses in Sitio Upper and Lower Awihaw, Kalunasan experienced brownout after an Ipil-Ipil tree fell into the power lines because of the landslide. The houses of Eddie Macaldo and Guillermo Lawas were also damaged by the fallen tree.

The Macaldo family was evacuated for awhile by Kalunasan Captain Nunilon Monares but returned home after some repairs of their house were made. No one was hurt in the incident.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) Executive Director Alvin Santillana said that the Parks and Playground Committee immediately cleared the area.

In barangay Pamutan, two separate portion of the road going to and from the barangay were temporarily made impassable after two separate road erosions last Sunday evening and yesterday morning.

The route was detoured to an alternative road while the Department of Engineering and Public Works is clearing the area.

The CCDRRMC held an emergency meeting last Sunday to prepare for the next days should the bad weather continues.

Santillana said that their 24-hour monitoring was intensified since January 2 as per order by Mayor Michael Rama.

As continuous rains may trigger landslides in upland areas, Santillana said that they are calling the mountain barangays from time to time to check the situation. They have instructed all barangay officials to immediately report any untoward incident related to disaster.

CCDRRMC advised those living in low lying areas to move to safer grounds once the water in creeks or rivers rise to higher than the usual level.

Last year, Santillana said, the disaster council has performed well in terms of response and rescue. He said that the Mayor has been very active in making sure that they are quick and prepared all the time.

Santillana said that this year, they hope that the Mayor will grant their request for additional personnel to improve their operation.

He said that though they are efficient and quick in responding to disasters, they are sometimes delayed by the lack of personnel who will work on documentations and other necessary papers. —  (FREEMAN)