Blessed.

For years, Cresencia (family name withheld upon her request) has had problems with her stomach.

She was found to have gastric cancer, a disease usually grows slowly over many years.

Badly wanting to be healed, the  60 year-old mother of three traveled all the way from Bilar town to Tagbilaran City last Tuesday when she learned that the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of  Lindogon Simala arrived in Bohol on Monday.

She said it was an opportunity for her to see the image in Tagbilaran since it was costly for her to travel to Cebu.

Marian devotees have joined the grand procession
of the image of the Our Lady of Simala on Thursday
 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.  Leo Udtohan

Pilgrims visit Sibonga town in southern Cebu to visit the Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine, in the hills of Barangay Simala.

Cresencia did not mind the distance, firm in faith that she will be healed by God through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Nag-ampo ko nga hikapon ko para ayuhon ko niya sa akong balatian,” Cresencia said as tears welled up in her eyes.

She was accompanied by one of her grandchildren in her trip to the Our Lady of Barangay Shrine in Barangay Cogon.

Cresencia had to endure for at least four hours under the heat of the sun outside the church until she was able to come close and touch the image of the Virgin Mary inside a glass.

A sea of people covered some streets of Tagbilaran when the Our Lady of Simala passed by during the procession.

Along the streets, devotees lighted candles while praying for the Virgin Mary.

Among those who waited was Wincesa Espejo-Araoarao, founder of Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe, the longest surviving folkloric group in Bohol.

 “I feel I am blessed that she passed our place,” said Araoarao, who visited the Lindogon Shrine 10 years ago.

“And I hope and pray that all what we pray for will be granted through her intercession,” she added.

Another devotee Wilma Diez-Balag was overwhelmed of the Virgin’s visit to Bohol.

“Daghan kaayong salamat Mama Mary sa Lindogon Simala sa pagbisita namo imo gyung gipakita namo kon unsa ka kamilagrosa ug kabalaan nakita gyud namo ang imong balaang mga luha.. VIVA MAMA MARY,” she posted on Facebook. She used the hashtags #loveumamamary #ayawmikalimtikangjesusand #congratulationtousblueladies.

In Cebu, thousands of devotees troop to the shrine in Simala which the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Simala started sometime in 1997.

The image was given to monks of the Frater Martin Mary by an unknown woman at the height of the lahar destruction in 1991 in Pampanga.

In 1996, the monks moved to Cebu with the image of the Blessed Mother with permission of then Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Since then, a lot of people find bliss and healing with proofs displayed at the shrine’s museum.

***

Beach clean-up and landslide

Last Monday was focused on environmental issues and concerns.

Government officials, volunteers and residents joined a coastal cleanup on Panglao Island, one of the country’s favorite tourist destinations plagued with environmental problems.

Hundreds of volunteers composed of students, the public and authorities gathered on Panglao beach early Monday to collect garbage at the coastlines.

Among the trash they picked up were cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles and other plastic containers.

At least 400 business establishments in Panglao, including illegal settlers, were found to have been violating environmental laws during a validation conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the municipal governments of Panglao and Dauis.
The Monday afternoon news was shocking. Two workers- Ariel Abac and Valeriano Galeya­- were buried in a landslide at a quarry in Sitio San Isidro in Barangay Candabong  in Anda town, at least 5 km from the town proper.

Two workers were buried in a landslide in Anda, Bohol.
Photo courtesy: Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes

“Alerto” Jun Gutierrez of dyRD who was quick at the site gave listeners the most comprehensive, blow by blow report of the progress of the operations.

When I visited the site on Tuesday afternoon, KC Peñaranda-Abac, wife of Ariel, said she remained hopeful her husband was alive because his phone was still ringing when she called his mobile phone on Tuesday, more than 12 hours after the landslide occurred on Monday afternoon.

KC, 25, said her intuition told her that her husband Ariel, who was working at the quarry for nine months, was still alive even if they were believed buried.   

“Naglaum ko nga buhi pa siya (I am still hoping he is alive),” she said as she watched a group of rescuers frantically digging through the debris with the help of shovel in the area believed they were buried.

“His three children are waiting for him,” she added.

Abac’s brother-in-law Ramon Peñaranda said they were at the quarry site gathering “anapog” (limestone) on Monday afternoon.

When he took a break and left the group, he heard a big commotion.

He said Galeya and Ariel, who were digging at that time, didn’t notice that big rocks as big as a barangay hall had rolled down toward them, followed by a mass of soil.

When the landslide hit, he added, smog and dust covered the entire place for half an hour.

Ramon, 48, said Ariel and Galeya may have been buried in a pile of soil at least 12 feet tall. A mini dump truck near the victims was completely covered.

But Ramon said that while he believed the two would not have survived the landslide, he wanted to recover the body to give them a proper burial.

Rescuers had difficulty digging due to the huge rocks.

The search and retrieval operations.
Photo courtesy: Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes

Anthony Damalerio, head of the provincial disaster risk reduction management office (PDRMMO) said that rescuers from neighboring towns of Pilar, Alicia, Ubay, Candijay, Guindulman and Duero went to the site to help for the search and retrieval operation. Additional volunteers from the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police arrived on Tuesday afternoon.

Tarsier 117’s training headed Mark Sidney Galia said the soil may have cascaded due to intermittent rains brought by typhoon Basyang.

The search and retrieval operations on Monday  and Tuesday nights were stopped for safety reasons.

Rescuers found the bodies of the two workers on Wednesday morning.  

The mountain in Candabong was a known quarry site for limestone.  

On August 27, 2011, two were killed and one was injured in a landlslide at the same quarry.  Killed were Romeo Galos, Jr., 14 and Eric Bernil, 21. Mark Jerico Alaguer, 13 sustained severe injuries.

Anda, about 99 km from Tagbilaran City, is an alternative destination in Bohol province because of its white sandy beaches and cavepools.

Totsie Escobia, provincial information officer, said the municipal government had stopped the quarry because the area is one of those identified as landslide prone. He added that some residents continued to defy the order and continued to quarry for limestone for livelihood.

Escobia said that the provincial government is looking into the situation, urging the local government units for strict compliance on quarry laws.

However, some rescuers are still bewildered of what they saw on the rock. The cryptic message read: “Claim Girl.”

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Their #Summer2018 getaways

The summer ahead holds a great deal of excitement for all of us. Whether you're swimming, grilling and exploring the world, summer crackles with infinite possibilities. And even though spontaneity defines the season, summer's even better when you plan out a few adventures.

While you decide how to fill your own summer days, here's how some of our Boholano friends would spend theirs.

Batuan Vice Mayor Yes Tirol-Dumagan-  My plans for #summer2018 include attending a workshop in Jeju, Korea organized by Cifal United Nations for Training and Research (UNITAR) for the promotion of sustainable tourism and forest management of Batuan; turning over musical instruments to Rizal High School so they can final form a drum and bugle group and train this summer; also the 1st Batuan Youth Camp will be materialized that will allow various private and public schools in the town to showcase their students skills in sports, etc.  On a personal note, will bond more with my family through getaways and enroll my eldest child in a swimming workshop.

For some, it is a time to explore different places
or sweat it out for a sizzling summer bod. Contributed Photos

EJ Relampagos- I am planning on spending my summer enjoying Davao. Then, I want to rediscover Bohol.

Queenie Melody Fullante- My summer plans for this year are to travel locally; spend a few days in the beach; and to attend in the wedding of a former Miss Bohol!

Rosalinda Paredes- I need to take a much-deserved week-long vacation from my work in the SURGE Project. Summer weather is meant for travel time. The direct flights from Tagbilaran to Davao or Clark are attractive travel packages our family is considering to take.

Mizken Tirol Andan-  I am planning to have my vacation in Boracay this Holy Week. I will buy a condo unit and a car as I decided to relocate myself in Manila where it will be more accessible in preparation for my showbiz career at Viva.

Panglao Councilor Rogelin Clemeńa-Degoma- What do you mean with #summer2018 plans? As a councilor? As an entrepreneur? As a mom and a wife? As a councilor, I will be starting to facilitate livelihood projects on recycling. As an entrepreneur, I will be monitoring on the business on its peak season.  As a mom and wife, my family will go to Cagayan de Oro- Bukidnon for a soccer tournament/family vacation in Mindanao on the 1st week of  April. And Hongkong with kids on 1st week of June. Asa ka ani makauban nako? Kuyog ta!

For them, summer is all about unwinding
 and going places. Contributed Photos

Doris Dinorog-Obena- I might be busy with freelance work this summer but I would like to finish something on the research and academics side but a weekend get away to Surigao or Siargao via Leyte with my children will be great for this summer.  Have a great summer!

Leah Tirol-Magno- To be able to launch my Baking Mama Original BukUbe Pies.

Butch Bernas, Ph.D.- My summer 2018 bucketlist is to mesmerize the beaches of Siargao and to explore the gigantic rock formation and crystal clear beaches of  El Nido, Palawan. For now, I’m preparing myself to go to gym to achieve a beach body physique.

Melinda Mendez- Basalo- I will be spending more time with my family this summer. I will keep myself busy with the events for the Women's Month.

Benjie Oliva- A trip to Coron, Palawan with my family and in-laws. Aside from the vacation, it's an opportunity to visit the last communities affected by typhoon Yolanda way back in 2013 to introduce our Blue Boat Project of our Rotary Club in Pasay. In our province, Panglao and Maribojoc are beneficiaries of the project with 40 paddle boats already turned over to the fisherfolks of the said towns in partnership with Angat Buhay of VP Leni Robredo. And at the same time, we want to link them also with our partner Rotary Clubs in Rotary International District 3810 composed of Manila, Pasay, Cavite and Oriental Mindoro to sustain the livelihood and humanitarian efforts in the area. Northern Palawan was the last place devastated by the said supertyphoon.

Fiel Angeli Espejo Araoarao-Gabin- Summer plans? I will pursue with my usual culture and arts promotion activities.  I will spend Holy Week with family in Siquijor province for spiritual enrichment, communing with nature and family bonding.  And also, I will try to start a fitness regimen for a healthy lifestyle for both health and aesthetic purposes. 

Maria Fe H. Evasco- Travel and bonding with family. Celebrate thanksgiving for Saint Joseph's fiesta.

AR De La Serna- Goal is sunkissed skin. I would like to get tanned for the first time because my friends from Manila tell me why I’m not dark. I'll try my best to be as dark as possible.

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Panglao Island has to breathe

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Bohol Province and co-host Tagbilaran City are expecting 6,000 to 7,000 student-athletes from the 19 schools divisions in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) set on Feb. 24 to March 2. Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto said, “This is not only a DepEd event. This is a province of Bohol event which the entire people of Bohol will be welcoming our visitors and guests.  Ato silang dawaton ug ipakita ang  atong Boholano hospitality.”

  

Scene: Isabel Iris Garsuta was declared champion during the National Festival of Talents 2018 Jingle Writing and Singing competition.

Mister Supranational-Philippines 2016 AR De La Serna,
Glorivic Yap- De La Serna  and
Man of the World 2017 Mustafa Galal Elezali during an outreach program in Bohol province.
Contributed Photo

Scene: Man of the World 2017 Mustafa Galal Elezali from Egypt was spotted at “Luto-Luto ta, Bai” in Tagbilaran City last Friday night. Elizali was in Bohol for a charity event. He visited elementary schools in Haguilanan Grande in Balilihan and Badiang, Sikatuna for an outreach program organized by prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Pepps).  He was assisted by Mister Supranational-Philippines 2016 AR De La Serna.  According to Glorivic Yap-De La Serna, some 280 slippers, stand fans, educational and sports items were given to the schools.

Scene: Emilia Roslinda, executive director of PROCESS-Bohol on ubi (purple yam) during the Ubi Festival 2018: “Ubi is actually a good substitute for rice and corn especially now that rice is expensive.”

***

As recent reports of Panglao Island as the next target after Boracay pervaded the news, it disheartened many people who admired the island for its crystal clear water and white sand that put Bohol province on the global map.

But national leaders and environmental experts have said that Panglao, known as Bohol’s tourism jewel, is suffering from environmental problems because of unregulated development, lax enforcement of laws, and continued surge in tourist arrivals.

Tourists enjoy Panglao’s miles of powder sand beaches.
Leo Udtohan

Panglao Councilor Rogelyn Degoma said that the island is teeming with resorts with no septic tanks and proper waste disposal facilities and illegal structures.

“About 80 to 90 percent resorts are without waste water facility and sewerage treatment plant (STP). A

nd 60-70 percent are not compliant on septic tanks regulations,” said Degoma.

Most resort owners and investors were reluctant to build their own sewerage system and wastewater treatment plant because of the cost, she said.

Degoma stressed that even the requirement that septic tanks should have three to five chambers had not been complied with by some resort owners.

Some resorts on Alona Beach empty their sewage and other wastes directly into the cave or holes in the resort which would go directly the ground which then transport into the water surrounding coral reefs and other sensitive marine habitats.

Degoma said that the local government should strictly implement the “no discharge permit, no business permit,” policy and individually inspect the sewerage treatment plants to minimize and prevent the rise of coliform.

Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo says the municipal government
 is closely monitoring the establishments in her town. Leo Udtohan

Panglao has at least 200 business establishments which 33 had only permits from Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an agency attached to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

On Alona Beach in Barangay Tawala in Panglao town, the EMB reported last January that the levels of fecal coliform bacteria had exceeded DENR standards for recreational water.

The total fecal coliform in the area was 305.70 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters, way above the acceptable level of 100 MPN per 100 ml.

According to the EMB report, the total coliform (including other forms of coliform) level in waters of the village of Tawala in the second quarter of 2017 peaked at 841.69 MPN per 100 ml, still below but near the safe level of 1,000 MPN per 100 ml for water for swimming and other activities.

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto said that the resort owners had been properly warned already.

“We have never tolerated any violation,” said Chatto as he stressed that Bohol was the first local government unit in the country to pass an ordinance of an “Environmental Code.”

Resort owner Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan 

explains to reporters Dave Responte (dyTR) 

and Allen Doydora (dyRD) his wastewater 

treatment facility. Leo Udtohan

He said the provincial government had a design of the wastewater treatment facility to be put up on Alona and the whole Panglao Island. He said he asked the national government to fund it.

The Panglao municipal government also didn't have money to build a wastewater treatment facility, said acting Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes.

 To build a common wastewater facility for the resorts would cost millions which the town didn't have, he added.

In Dauis, Mayor Marietta Sumaylo said that the LGU is closely monitoring the town’s beaches.

She said only three of 19 establishments have no sewerage treatment facilities.

However,  she said that the Badjao community had contributed to the pollution of the seas. The Badjao community, with at least 1,000 population, refused relocation.

Resort owner Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan said that he had foreseen the environmental problems on Panglao years ago.

He spent P 9 million to construct his own wastewater treatment facility in his resort in 2005.

“Panglao is growing, Panglao is bigger that of Boracay. I expect this thing to happen because we have no sewerage treatment plant also in Alona,” said Dumaluan.

“So, I tried to build my own treatment. It’s really worth that I spent this much because I am protecting the environment and I am making money out of the beauty of nature, I have to return back what they gave it to me,”  he added.

Beside the wastewater treatment, he also invented machines- glass pulveriser and coconut shredder- to recycle and reuse the bottles, plastics and coconuts found on the seashore.

He said there is still hope for Panglao to protect the environment.

“We should not damage the environment in the name of progress. We have only one Panglao. For me, we have brighter future than Boracay, we could still continue, mitigate, correct what is happening now,” he said.

All is not lost, however, as various government agencies are now cooperating together to protect and save Panglao Island. 

A massive cleanup will be held on March 6 so that Panglao’s sandy white beaches will see brighter days.

*   *   *

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Mga Kuwento ni Bagyong Basyang

I’ve chased storms myself, so I know firsthand that chasing storms is risky.  I always keep a safe distance and practice important safety measures that would get me home to share my stories.

But Tuesday’s chase was different. There were four of us —Allen Doydora (DYRD), Dave Responte (DYTR), Helen Castaño and I—“chasing”  typhoon “Basyang” (internationally known as “Sanba”) on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 13) to deliver information.

Reporters take you to chase the wind. Your “storm chasers”
(l)- Leo Udtohan, Dave Responte (of DYTR) and
Allen Doydora (of DYRD) during the coverage of typhoon “Basyang”.
Photo by Helen Castaño

 As a stringer for GMA News for the past 18 years, I know covering typhoons is extremely dangerous. I don’t have a choice since we need a visual proof that persuade people that what they see in news is real and matters to them.

I told Allen, Dave and Helen not to push the limits of safety and common sense. We didn’t have equipments like those professional storm chasers in the US.

As we travelled south, your “storm chasers” listened to weather reports, while Dave and Allen took their listeners to chase the wind to give their listeners their first information at the threat posed by such a storm.

 In Loay town, we found out that there was no killer shark washed up on a beach on Tuesday, according to Loay Police Station and local disaster risk reduction and management office.

We saw ricefields flooded in Candijay and Alicia towns.  While visiting the evacuation center in Candijay, Basyang started showing her fierce. We decided to have a quick dinner in Alicia with Allen’s family.

It got too dark to continue the chase, especially since we were without adequate gear — a dangerous rookie mistake. We left Alicia at 7 p.m, amidst thunder and heavy rains.

Mary Ann Berto, a resident of Barangay Guinsularan in Duero town, showed several pieces of woods left after her house stood was washed out. Teaching materials and several equipments such as computers, laptops and sewing machines were destroyed when floodwater mixed with mud swamped Guinsularan High School and Guinsularan Elem. School in Duero, Bohol. Leo Udtohan

Unfortunately, our vehicle got stuck in high water and stalled out in Guindulman town. We pushed it off the road while it was raining hard with lighting and thunder. We decided to stay inside the vehicle for our safety while watching the floodwaters rising gradually.

We stayed for about 30 minutes as we remained quiet, in awe of what was happening in front of our eyes. However, Dave and Allen didn’t fail to update their listeners.

When Dave fixed it, we moved slowly until we reached Guinsularan in Duero, particularly Guinsularan High School. We were stranded since the highway was no longer passable even for big buses.

We saw the school submerged in water. A portion of the concrete fence of the school had fallen due to the strong rampaging floodwater.

Residents said it was the first that they experienced such extent of flooding where a concrete fence of a school had been damaged to such degree.

Local rescuers told us that we would respond to the three residents who had to climb to the roofs of their houses when the rainwater flooded their houses.

At 9 p.m., when the rains stopped for the meantime, some teachers waded through knee-to-waist deep flood water to check the school.  They only entered the principal’s office where materials and equipment such as computers were all wet.

Affected families in Sitio Punta in Barangay Tabajan, Guindulman town, Bohol, have to stay temporarily in a chapel or with their relatives after their houses were washed out and destroyed on Wednesday dawn. Leo Udtohan

Allen and Dave reported the situation on dyRD’s Tagbilaran By Nite (with Allen’s co-host Jagna Councilor Anthony Aniscal) and dyTR’s Tomorrow’s News Tonight (anchored by Lito Responte)

We arrived in Tagbilaran City at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  It was a long journey. Since, Allen and Dave came home late after the coverage, they were thinking of sweet surprises and ideas to please their wives for Valentine’s Day, or else, they would experience the wrath of “Basyang.” 

I returned to Guinsularan on Wednesday afternoon to see the devastation.

When students and teachers returned to Guinsularan High School on Wednesday morning, they would be cleaning their muddied classrooms.

Teacher Lourdes Jordan went to the school early to check her classroom. Although she anticipated it, the damage still shocked her.

“Nothing was left. It destroyed our teaching materials,” she said.

She said more newly delivered textbooks for senior high school students, new sewing machines and some computers could no longer be used because these were destroyed when floodwater mixed with mud swamped the school.

But students, with their parents and some volunteers, helped the teachers and school staff in cleaning up and repairing the school.

 “Report mi, report mga bata, nagtibangay mi limpyo. Ganiha naa sab mga parents pud boluntaryo ra. Yes, nagbayanihan..arun makahuman og limpyo para maka-klase og sayo,” she said.

Teacher Lourdes said classes would be suspended until Friday since they needed time to clean up the classrooms.

Provincial Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite, who checked the school on Wednesday afternoon, said he would ask his colleagues in the Provincial Board to donate computers to the school because these got wet during the flood.

“Sa akong nahibaw-an mga computers, lisud raba ang computer mabasa replacement jud na. Wala na chance magamit pagbalik. So, siguro sa mga kauban nakong mga Sangguniang Panlalawigan, hatag lang ta og tagsa nga computer para sa Guinsularan High School,” he added.

The flood and mud also damaged the desks, chairs, teaching materials and student records at the Guinsularan Elementary School (Annex) which is beside the high school.

At the Guinsularan Elem. School (Annex) which is beside the high school, floodwater and mud damaged desks, chairs, teaching materials and student records.

“Basyang” also flooded several houses in Duero and Guindulman towns.

The family of Mary Ann Berto, 38, of Barangay Guinsularan in Duero evacuated to their relative when it was raining heavily on Tuesday night. The thunder and lightning caused her to scare more. When she woke up the following day, she only saw only several pieces of wood left in her house.

“The house is all gone,” said Berto who was not able to save things. “Kumpyansa mi kay di siguro dad-on among balay kay pila ka beses ingana kay wala man, okay raman. Gabii kay grabe jud.” she said.

Her eldest son, 15-yer-old Edmar Jun, who is a grade 9 student at Guinsularan High School lost his school supplies. But like other students, he went to school to help for cleaning out the mud.

In Guindulman town, some houses were destroyed and still submerged on water.

Gerardo Besas, 47, a resident of Barangay Tabajan, said his family only evacuated to Trinidad Elem. School at past midnight on Wednesday when the water rose to neck-deep.

Four houses were “washed out” after a flood and four houses were destroyed in Sitio Punta in the same barangay.

Most of the residents evacuated to the school at dawn Wednesday.

Virgilia Betonio-Bernido, 44, said their family soundly asleep on Tuesday night. She said the sea was calm with little rainshowers, but they woke up when the water entered their sala.

Provincial Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite and
 Rammel Cagulada went to Guinsularan High School in Duero, Bohol,
 to check the devastation on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14, 2018.
Balite said he would ask his colleagues to donate computers to the school.
Leo Udtohan

She woke up her children to go to the evacuation center.

“Nakatug man mi. Pagmata pa namo diha na ang tubig sa among purtahan. Gipukaw among mga anak. Dayun mi gawas kay ang tubig diha na sa among sala,” she said.

When she returned, what left only was her close closet (aparador) as her house was washed-out.

The semi-concrete house of Dominga Bernido, 42, was also destroyed. The cemented floor broke into half.

The affected families were safe, although were given relief goods from the local government, they wished they could build a new house.

 “Arang lisura unsaon jud namo pagbangon namo diri sa among panimay kay naguba naman jud ni pag-ajo. Maayo unta naay malumong kasing-kasing nga mutabang sa among bay unta pud,” said Dominga.

Virgilia said they would stay temporarily in a small chapel in the sitio until such time they could build a new house.

 Basyang also flooded villages and farms in Candijay town, a major rice-growing area.

More than 300 people were evacuated from the villages of Cadapdapan, Panadtaran, Cambane, Cogtong, San Isidro, Poblacion and Panas, which were considered landslide and flood prone areas, when the typhoon crossed the province, said local disaster risk reduction and management officer Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes.

Two houses in Sitio Gabayan in Barangay La Union owned by Romeo Bautista and Rosalinda Macarayan were damaged. There were three major landslides along Barangay Cambane, said Fuentes.

One was electrocuted when a cluster of coconut fruits fell and tripped an electric line. The victim suffered minor burn.

The flooding in a number of farming areas triggered harvest failures and damage to farmland.

Fuentes said initial estimate was that 180 hectares (444.79 acres) of rice have been damaged or destroyed.

In Barangay Panadtaran, 14 hectares of rice that were almost mature for harvest have been damaged or destroyed, according to village chief Rolly Limbangaon.

He said most of the palays were to be harvested next month.

Ursulina Pahuyo, 71, a resident of Barangay Lungsod-daan in Candidjay town, said she had huge losses when her small swathe of farmland was flooded.

 “Akong kahumayan nalunupan tungod sa bagyong basyang. Siyempre, masayang kay gutom walay maani. saying ang gastos, mahal ang suhol sa tawo,” said Pahuyo who tried to salvage what she can from her flooded ricefield on Wednesday.

The typhoon drenched Tagbilaran City overnight but caused no widespread flooding. The sprawling capital of 105,000 people has been hit hard by floods in some areas because of poor infrastructure and clogged drainage and water canals.

“Basyang” also destroyed some roads and bridges. A portion of the Guinacot Bridge in Guindulman was destroyed and a bridge in Abachanan in Sierra – Bullones town was not passable on Wednesday after it a portion was destroyed.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, which is still assessing the damage brought by Basyang, said that no casualties were reported.

As we would say in reference to anything in excess, when it rains...

Let’s just pray that no more (heavy) rains will fall.

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