‘Basyang’ puts Cebu on its toes

Local

CEBU has strengthened its defenses against Tropical Storm Basyang, drawing lessons from previous disasters such as Typhoon Tino, which flooded riverside communities and forced hundreds of families to evacuate.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro took a hands-on approach Friday, Feb. 6, personally inspecting key facilities to ensure the province is ready for the storm’s impact.

Baricuatro first visited the Minglanilla District Hospital to review emergency protocols and assess the hospital’s capacity to handle a surge in storm-related medical cases, particularly among vulnerable populations.

She then traveled to the Mananga River in Talisay City, a flood-prone area that overflowed last year, to check water levels and monitor conditions firsthand.

The governor emphasized that Cebu’s disaster offices are better coordinated and equipped than in previous storms, but she urged residents to remain vigilant and comply with directives from local governments and disaster response units.

Authorities have enforced a strict no-build policy along the Mananga River to prevent families from returning to high-risk areas.

Provincial data show that 8,535 relief packs are ready for immediate deployment, and Capitol personnel continue repacking additional supplies to meet potential increases in evacuation numbers.

The relief inventory includes family food packs, sleeping kits, kitchen and hygiene kits, and bottled drinking water in 350-milliliter and 500-milliliter containers.

Mobile kitchens have been dispatched to southern Cebu, including Moalboal, to provide hot meals for evacuees unable to cook in shelters.

Heavy equipment for rescue and clearing operations has been pre-positioned across the province following coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

River-clearing operations have intensified ahead of the rainy season.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the Mananga River on January 27 and directed crews to widen, dredge, and desilt critical sections narrowed by mud, silt, and houses encroaching on the riverbanks.

Officials noted some stretches measure only 15 meters wide, while the target is to restore up to 30 meters in key areas.

In Mandaue City, more than 20 families evacuated to temporary shelters in Barangays Maguikay and Paknaan after heavy rains raised flood risks near the Butuanon River.

Fifteen families, or 54 individuals, are staying at Maguikay Elementary School, while eight families, or 30 individuals, are at Paknaan Elementary School.

The city was placed under a red rainfall warning on Feb. 6, with accumulated rainfall reaching around 200 millimeters.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Communications Head Arnold Malig-on said live monitoring showed the Butuanon River and other waterways remained at normal levels.

“Nisaka gamay ang water level tungod sa pag-uwan pero wala man ni-overflow,” he said, noting that precautionary evacuations were conducted early Thursday for residents living near creeks and rivers.

Resident Marjorie Fetiluna, 35, said her family evacuated around midnight February 6 after floodwaters threatened their area.

She recalled her husband nearly drowning during Typhoon Tino last November and said they did not want to take any chances this time, especially with children in the family.(MyTVCebu)