Gullas: Sorry for delayed updates

CEBU, Philippines — As the Mananga River in Talisay City overflowed and displaced hundreds of residents, Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas issued an apology for the delay in providing updates during the height of Typhoon Tino’s onslaught.

Despite this, many citizens were quick to notice that the mayor did not address the billion-peso revetment wall and flood control projects along the Mananga River that have drawn public scrutiny.

During the typhoon’s onslaught on Tuesday, the Mananga River overflowed, displacing hundreds of families and claiming several lives. In a public statement posted yesterday, November 5, Gullas explained that the city’s priority had been life-saving efforts and coordination with utility providers.

“Mangayo kog pasaylo nga dugay kong naka update,” he said, citing that some responders had to attend to their own families while others were deployed across affected areas.

He assured residents that the city is now operating at near full capacity, with teams conducting search and rescue operations, road clearing, and relief distribution.

On Tuesday, Cebu Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro visited Talisay City to assess the damage and coordinate provincial support. She joined Gullas in surveying the mouth of the Mananga River and checking on evacuees at the Talisay Sports Academy, where over 1,000 individuals from 262 households were sheltering.

Baricuatro pledged assistance for rehabilitation and livelihood recovery, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions.

Medical teams remain stationed at Rural Health Unit (RHU) 1 in Cansojong, RHU 2 at Tabunok Gym, and RHU 3 in Lawaan 1 beside Don Bosco, offering check-ups, tetanus injections, leptospirosis prophylaxis, and oral rehydration therapy.

Aside from this, mobile health services continue to reach evacuation centers to monitor the condition of displaced residents, while clearing and pumping operations are ongoing in Purok 3 Cainta in Pooc, Uldog Street in San Isidro, Quijano Compound in Dumlog, and Lawaan 2 under the bridge.

City traffic personnel have been mobilized along Baybay and Baywalk Dumlog, while Visayan Electric has begun restoring primary power lines in Mohon and other areas in the city.

The City Disaster team has distributed water to Monterey School and strengthened its coordination with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District and other suppliers for water access and line restoration.

Despite these efforts, the mayor’s statement did not address the more than P1-billion worth of flood control and revetment wall projects along the Mananga River. These include multiple packages in Sitio Tigib, Barangay Lagtang, and structures in Camp 4 and Jaclupan.

Funded under national infrastructure programs and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the projects were intended to protect vulnerable communities but have come under scrutiny following the widespread inundation.

These projects, funded under national infrastructure programs, have come under public scrutiny after riverside communities in Biasong, Dumlog, Lawaan, and San Isidro were inundated during recent rains.

While the city government has yet to issue a formal statement on the performance or status of these projects, residents and others have raised questions about their effectiveness and the timing of their implementation. — /IHM (FREEMAN)