City aids victims of sea surge in Patalon
The moonsoon rains that battered Zamboanga City Wednesday ruined some 20 houses and a mosque built along the coastline of barangay Patalon, west coast of the city.
City caretaker and administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. said 20 houses and a mosque were damaged by the sea surge displacing 20 families with 110 dependents.
Records from the City Housing and Land Management Division show that of the total 20 houses affected, 15 were totally wrecked while 5 were partially damaged. Land area affected is 3,036 square meters.
The city government, according to Orendain, has immediately provided relief assistance to the displaced families, some of whom are temporarily housed at the Patalon covered court.
What is saddening to note, the city administrator said is the fact that of the 20 families affected, 12 were already victims of the November 27 storm surge. “These families have signed a waiver and received financial assistance from the city with the commitment that they will no longer build their houses along the shoreline.”
Orendain said the Patalon coastline is considered a disaster-prone area and therefore unsafe and should be evacuated. “This is the same area where some politicians earlier said is not prone to disaster.”
“We have warned them about the dangers of staying in the area and now we are reiterating our warning,” the city caretaker stressed.
Orendain yesterday morning met with barangay officials from Patalon and representatives from the agencies concerned in the conduct of relief operations including police personnel assigned in the west coast, Housing and Land Management Division personnel led by Rodrigo Pagotaisidro, the City Engineer’s Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and other agencies to discuss about the situation in the Patalon coastline.
The city administrator said the city will evaluate the situation and come up with concrete decisions soon. “But for now, we are saying that the area is considered a disaster prone area, thus, people should seek safer grounds.” (Sheila Covarrubias)