Waves drive out 297 families

Waves as high as five to seven feet battered three coastal barangays in Talisay City, displacing 297 families since Sunday evening.

Two houses were destroyed while 23 houses were damaged by waves in barangay Dumlog, displacing 95 families. Also affected were barangays Poblacion and Cansojong, the Talisay City Information Office said yesterday.

Two outriggers were destroyed; two houses were damaged and 32 families displaced based on reports from barangay Cansojong.

In barangay Poblacion, nine houses were destroyed and 37 damaged while 170 families were affected.

Manolito Angcon, a resident of sitio Kalubihan, barangay Poblacion, said he and his neighbors left their homes after seeing the waves slamming their homes last Sunday evening.

“Naabtan nalang mi ug kadlawn sa pagtukaw kay kuyawan naman mi (It was already dawn when we returned to our homes),” Angcon said.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes visited the area with Councilor Danny Caballero, who brought bread and coffee for the residents.

Councilman Edmundo Villarante, brother of Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante offered noodles. City Councilor Caballero said he would pass a resolution recommending the extension of the seawall in the area.

The mayor ordered social welfare personnel to give canned food and rice to the families.

“Our Provincial Social Welfare Office is willing to help. But they are waiting for our report. We’re expecting to send our report any time today (yesterday),” said Wilson Ramos of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. /Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc and Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol