CEBU CITY, Philippines—Floods hit several areas here and in Cebu province, prompting education and local officials to suspend on Thursday classes in all levels in the wake of incessant rains spawned by Tropical Storm “Mario.”
Mario also brought rains to the cities of Ormoc in Leyte province and Calbayog and Catbalogan, both in Samar province, where local officials also suspended classes.
“We want [all students] to be safe,” said Carmelita Dulagon of Department of Education in Central Visayas, who announced the suspension of classes at 6:30 a.m. after receiving reports that floods had reached waist-deep in some areas in Cebu.
Nonstop rains
All colleges and universities in Metro Cebu also suspended classes because of the floods that were triggered by nonstop rains, which started at 11 p.m. on Wednesday until Thursday morning.
The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported flooding in many parts of the city, including Barangays (villages) Mambaling, Basak Pardo, Poblacion Pardo, Kinasang-an and Mabolo, as well as on the streets of Colon, Sanciangko, Junquera and Manalili in the downtown area.
The North Reclamation Area in Mabolo looked like a river, as floodwaters were almost waist-high.
Transport for the stranded
Several vehicles conked out on AS Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, where floods were knee-deep.
A portion of Jakosalem Street in front of the gate of the Archbishop’s residence was also flooded.
The Cebu City government deployed 11 city-owned buses and trucks to ferry stranded passengers after public utility vehicle drivers stopped plying their routes.
A tornado also damaged the roofs of seven classrooms and ripped off the roof of a school canteen in Cebu City.
At least 100 families were evacuated from two low-lying subvillages—Kasambagan and Kimba in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City—after floods reached waist-deep.
Landslides were also reported in Barangays Manipis and Lagtang in Talisay City, as well as in Barangay Lanas in Naga City.
One side of the Lanas barangay hall was damaged after it was hit by falling rocks.
Although it also rained in Tacloban City, Leyte, the city government didn’t suspend classes.
‘Yolanda’ victims’ fears
But victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) who are living in tents in San Jose District could not hide their fear.
Melba Villalino, Barangay chair of Barangay 89 in San Jose, said families in her village were still traumatized by their experience during the super typhoon.
“You know, they still live in tents, which could easily be blown away by strong winds. Also, when there is strong wind, water goes inside their tents,” she said.
At least 427 families in Barangay 89 live in tents, most of which are already damaged due to the elements.
The tents were donated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees just weeks after Yolanda hit Tacloban 10 months ago.–With reports from Jhunnex Napallacan and Joey A. Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas
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