4 hurt as tree falls on houses

CEBU, Philippines - Two women and two children were injured after an acacia tree fell on their houses during the heavy rain in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

Victims Mylene Arevato, 33 years old and three-month pregnant; her daughter Erika, 3; and Kimberly Espinili; and her four-year-old son John Cyrus were rescued after the incident and were brought to the hospital.

Badly hurt was Espinili, whose nose was bleeding and whose body bore scratches. She sustained shoulder and back wounds while trying to save her son.

According to Arevato, yesterday afternoon’s heavy rain, coupled with the strong wind, caused the tree to fall on four houses, including hers, in Sitio Dapdap.

The Arevatos were brought to Cebu City Medical Center while Espinili to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. Her son John Cyrus, who only suffered minor injuries, was no longer brought to the hospital.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who heads the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, reminded the residents to be vigilant especially if the weather gets worse.

As per Tumulak’s order, the affected families were evacuated temporarily to the barangay hall.

The city’s Department of Social Welfare Services will extend financial assistance to the affected individuals, said Tumulak. — Bryner L. Diaz, Rowena D. Capistrano and Sheriza Mae Uy of Banat News/NSA