Cebu City reactivates village disaster responders as La Niña looms

FLOOD MONITORING. Personnel from the Cebu City Task Force Gubat sa Baha install a trash-collecting device at the Estero de Parian as part of the preparation for heavy rains as La Niña looms. The city government reactivated the barangay responders to monitor floodings especially in the low-lying villages. Photo courtesy of Task Force Gubat sa Baha

CEBU CITY – The Cebu City government has reactivated the disaster risk responders in 80 villages as the rainy season threatens low-lying villages with flooding, an official said on Monday.

Councilor Joel Garganera, overseer of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the city is preparing as model forecasts suggest an increasing probability of La Niña developing in the June to August 2024 season.

He said the barangay respondents will help the city monitor their areas of jurisdiction, particularly low-lying areas and areas that are threatened by landslides.

“If heavy rain comes, we will evacuate them (residents), especially those in the flood-prone areas,” Garganera said.

Acting Mayor Alvin Garcia ordered the Task Force Gubat sa Baha (war on floods) to expedite all interventions to prevent flooding from disturbing residents as the rainy season has already started.

Garcia cited the task force's short-term solutions, such as the purchase of declogging machines to be deployed to low-lying areas threatened by flooding.

He underscored the importance of coordination between the task force and other city offices.

Garcia said the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement Team should work hard to minimize the damage caused by flooding.

The task force chief said they might entertain renting declogging machines if the purchase is delayed. PNA