Gov't vows to help family of boy swept away by flood in Cebu City
CEBU CITY—The city government will extend financial assistance to the family of the 14-year-old boy, who died after he was swept away by a strong current at the height of Tuesday’s heavy flooding in the city.
It was only last Thursday afternoon when the body of Hansel Dayondon was found under Rahmann Bridge along General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City. He was reported missing on Wednesday after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in the city.
The body was found entangled with garbage and other debris.
City Mayor Edgardo Labella rushed to the area after the body was retrieved.
Labella assured the boy’s family that the city will shoulder the burial expenses aside from other financial assistance they will get through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Aside from the boy, two other persons were also killed in last Tuesday’s flood in Metro Cebu.
The boy’s grandmother Lucia Maribeles said the boy was sleeping under Rahmann bridge, along with his friends, when the water suddenly rose.
Maribeles said the boy’s friends tried to save him, but the strong current prevented them from doing so.
The Maribeles family is one of the city’s homeless families living under the bridge.
Several establishments on Mango Avenue were damaged due to floodwater. The road was closed to traffic last Tuesday to remove debris and mud left by the flood.
Tons of garbage were collected from the river.
Labella said the garbage caused the river to overflow that resulted in the massive flooding.
Some establishments in the area are also built on waterways.
The mayor said the city will be meeting with representatives of the various establishments in the area to come up with plans on how to remove structures obstructing the city’s waterways.
The mayor said he will also be asking Congress to allocate enough funds to help improve the city’s drainage system.