Manila Bulletin

Downpour sends houses crashing into river

- By MADELYNNE DOMINGUEZ

At least 97 families were displaced when eight houses on a bank of Nangka River in Marikina City collapsed Sunday night at the height of a heavy downpour.

Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman yesterday said the city government is presently eyeing permanent relocation sites for the affected residents .

De Guzman said the incident occurred at around 9 p.m. on Mirasol Street, Barangay Nangka.

Damage to property was estimated at R1 million.

Fortunatel­y, De Guzman said that no injuries or fatalities were reported even as he instructed city police chief Vincent Calanoga and city engineer Kennedy Sueno to monitor and keep watch over the area as several residents refused to vacate the area and head to temporary shelters.

“At present, some affected residents are staying at the Nangka Elementary School and at the barangay hall while others preferred to watch over their houses.”, De Guzman said.

De Guzman said heavy rains may have softened the land where the collapsed wooden houses stood.

He added that families residing near the river have been told earlier to vacate the premises due to safety risks, especially during the monsoon season.

“Most of them want permanent relocation sites that’s why the City Council will convene this Wednesday and we will discuss our permanent relocation sites for them. This is a joint project of the city government and the Japan Internatio­nal Cooperatio­n Agency,” the mayor said.

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