Family of 4 perishes in a landslide in Catbalogan City

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 22, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  A young mother and her three children were killed, and two houses were totally damaged, after a landslide occurred at 3:30 in the morning of October 21, at Sitio Cugao, Barangay Guinsorungan, Catbalogan City in the province of Samar.

OIC Director Rey Gozon of the Office of Civil Defense identified the victims as Maricel B. Ong, 30 years old and her children, Carla, 6 years old; Carlo, 4 years old; and Mary Carl, 2 years old.

Director Gozon informed the Philippine Information Agency that eight (8) houses were affected, two of which were totally damaged. The two totally destroyed houses were owned by Maricel Ong and Leonora Villalino.

The residents of the barangay claimed that they heard a loud sound and suddenly the landslide occurred. The members of the 8th Infantry Division and the Philippine National Police in Catbalogan City were the first to respond, the residents added.

Barangay Guinsorungan is only one kilometer away from the City Hall of Catbalogan City, Director Gozon said. It is one of the barangays identified to be a landslide prone area.

A big crack is visible at the top portion of the hillside, Director Gozon said so the advice is to relocate the affected residents. The barangay captain, the local social workers, the city risk reduction and management council and the affected residents met immediately in the afternoon of October 21.

The residents have been advised to relocate because of the danger the area poised. The barangay chairman promised to help the residents find relocation site in a safer area.

Director Gozon, who personally went to Catbalogan to assess the situation, said that Mayor Tekwa Uy and the local Social Workers were also there to assess the needs of the affected residents. There is an available fund of the City Government for the victims, the City Social Worker said.