We weren’t prepared for something like ‘Sendong’: Gan

By Nitz Arancon

CITY hall was not prepared for something like “Sendong.”

Councilor Leon Gan yesterday said the Emano administration did everything it could to help survivors rebuildfour years ago in the aftermath of the worst environmental disaster to ever hit the city in recent years but the efforts and resources were simply not enough.

Gan, a former city administrator who served as a city hall consultant at the time when the Sendong floods flattened communities and left a trail of destruction here and in Iligan City, said the disaster was one of the worst if not, the worst experience of local officials.

He said city hall, at that time, was prepared to respond to disasters but did not anticipate a calamity of such magnitude.

“Na-a man tay pagpangandam sa mga disaster adtong panahona pero wala man ta magdahom nga ingon miadto di-ay ka grabi ang ipikto sa kada-ot, mao nga ang atong preparasyon adtong higayona, dili gyud igo,” Gan told the Gold Star Daily.

He said he witnessed how the then mayor Vicente Emano and his men worked to bring relief to the survivors and aid them in their efforts to rebuild.

Among Emano’s biggest concerns then, according to Gan, was on how to help people bury their dead, provide relief aid to the survivors, and relocation.

“Pasalamat ra pud ta kay pina-agi sa pagtinabangay sa tanan niadtong panahona, ato gihapon nga natubag ang mga panginahanglan sa mga biktima,” Gan said.

Today, city hall would lead the city in the commemoration of the Sendong disaster that took place in the evening of Dec. 16 up to the morning of Dec. 17, 2011.

Acting city administrator Dionne Gersana said the local government would remember Sendong by putting emphasis on hope and the value of life.

A series of activities have been lined up, including a “Sendong Walk” from the Rodelsa Circle to Gaston Park  at 6 am tomorrow. This would be followed by a an interfaith prayer and wreath laying at Gaston Park.

An ecumenical service has also been scheduled at Cala-cala at 4 pm tomorrow, and an activity that would last until 8 pm. The program includes a video presentation,   sharing of success stories, and a message to be delivered by Mayor Oscar Moreno. (nitz arancon)