Si SENDONG ay parang TUKSO! Kayrami na niyang winasak na tahanan. Kayrami na niyang

matang pinaluha. Kayrami na niyang pusong sinugatan.

What happened last December 16 and 17, 2011 for Kagay-anons brought about a traumatic life

changing experience. Those were the days when water, an earthly element considered as one of man’s

best friends, betrayed and turned its back on everyone else who were in a deepsleep beside their loved

ones.

Typhoon Sendong recognized no age, gender and status. In just a matter of hours, several

properties and lives were washed away. It was like waking up in the morning and seeing yourself floating

with garbage, lying beside stinking corpses, or standing on an area you could not believe there you

would be. Typhoon Sendong devastated so many innocent lives and dreams silently.

The entire world witnessed this catastrophe in just a small city with approximately 600,000

people. For decades, this is the first time that hit Cagayan de Oro City and will definitely be a part of the

city’s history.

Isla de Oro after Typhoon Sendong: Future Land Use Formulation

Present Condition

In a presentation by Engineer Mario Batar, (state his position), he showed Isla de Oro’s present

condition. President Noynoy Aquino declared Isla de Oro as a “No Build Zone”. After the damages

brought by Typhoon Sendong, building of any infrastructure in the area is prohibited.

However, residents did not heed this. They continuously occupy partially damaged houses

without minding the risks. For this reason, the city government assigned policemen to guard the area to

prevent damaged houses to be re-built.

Moreover, mounds of debris still clutter the area. Since there are cluttered debris in the area,

clearing operations are still on-going. This is to make sure that attempts to rebuild damaged houses will

be prevented. Residents are advised that they will be transferred as soon as relocation sites are ready.

When clearing operations are finally done, the city government will not just leave Isla de Oro as

it is. Instead, Mayor Vicente Emano requested President Noynoy Aquino to allow the Local Government

Unit of Cagayan de Oro City to develop Isla de Oro as a recreational area or tree park.

“As of now, Mayor Emano is still waiting for the approval of the president,” stated Engineer

Batar.

Three months had passed since the typhoon Sendong visited Cagayan de Oro and took away

lives, properties and livelihood. Until now, the survivors of the tragedy are struggling in coping with their

losses.

These were the following people being interviewed:

Adrian Torres

Victor Delos Reyes

Nestor Dalay, Sr.

Carlos Penoliad

The following people were interviewed according to the following:

1) The notion of the people in regards with the relocation areas specified by the government.

2) The reaction and perception of the people on the upcoming projects in Isla De Oro such as

conversion into Recreational area/Tree Park.

Five residents of Isla De Oro appeared in the interview and stated their reactions, perceptions

and needs regarding on the upcoming developments in the area. Majority of the people were

relocated in Calaanan, Tent City II for the establishing of the retaining walls along Isla De Oro.

Majority of the people are gratified of the relocation areas set for them. However, their concerns on

the equity of distributing their basic needs in the relocation areas are one of the biggest issues. The

lack of the resources despite of the large monetary account is also one especially on education.

On the contrary, these people compliment the upcoming developments in the area because of

the benefits it bring to them. Firstly, this project would help beautify the area hit by typhoon

Sendong. According to them, as soon as the development of the area will commence they will be the

first beneficiary of the project which will provide as there source of income. These developments

would help them revive the livelihood they have lost because of the typhoon Sendong. Next, the

people in the area believe that this project will somehow help improve the environment especially

those part damaged by typhoon Sendong. Lastly, this project is claimed to be in collaboration with

the JICA projects in connection with the dike and retaining wall.

History

Now one of the most affected areas in Cagayan de Oro City during Typhoon Sendong was the

Isla de Oro. History teaches us that Isla de Oro was not really formed before Cagayan de Oro became a

city.

According to Paulita Roa in her article in Sun Star Cagayan de Oro, this sandbar in the Cagayan

River was locally known as the “honasan” which used to be one of the idyllic spots in town. Honasan can

be reached by a boat or a raft or simply by swimming.

Years ago, the Honasan was the little paradise of the Kagay-anons, Roa added. The big and small

honasan were claimed by the Salcedos and Bacas respectively. Due to heavy siltation, the small and big

honasan merged and moved nearer to the bank of Burgos Street. In 1977, the honasan was finally

donated to the city government. Finally a contest was made to name the island and the winning entry

called it “Isla de Oro”. The plan was to convert the island into a tourist area but decades after, Isla de

Oro became a crowded area with houses and got negative reputation as a place that was frequently hit

by floods. (Roa, 2011)

Isla de Oro Profile

Isla de Oro has a land area which is more or less seven (7.0) hectares. Its land use has not been

titled and is primarily owned by the city government. Before the rampaging floods brought by Typhoon

Sendong, there were more or less 500 houses but now there are only about 70 houses (more or less)

with 20 units occupied. Sendong flood level went as high as five (5m) meters above the ground.

Golden Mile Project

Part of the city planning is its beautification and this is where the Golden Mile project comes in.

This is actually the flagship project of former city mayor Jaraula. The Golden Mile in its initial

phase consists of 600 meter long “walkway” from city hall to the fifth (5 th) Kagay-an Bridge and a one

kilometer boulevard. It starts from Toribio Chaves Street to JR Borja Street.

The purpose of this project is to attract more investors and tourists, as well as to promote

Cagayan de Oro River. In an interview done by Gold Star Daily to former City Mayor Tinnex Jaraula, the

Golden Mile project “was aimed at expanding and straightening the riverbanks to ensure a faster water

flow.”

In addition to his interview from Gold Star Daily, “Jaraula’s plan was to develop a mile-long

boulevard beside the river and a walkway on the other side (Carmen side) and go all the way towards JR

Borja Street. Jaraula also shared to Gold Star Daily that the plan was to cut the islets and eventually

erase them (the islands) for good but he ran out of time. The Golden Mile project was stopped," Jaraula

told The GoldStar Daily.

Moreover, this project could have been an avenue for the city’s central business district.

(http://cdocomerciallotforsale.blogspot.com/ p. 2, 3, 4)

However, due to Typhoon Sendong, the river became swollen and the communities were

flooded.

Because of this, they had a hard time pursuing the Golden Mile project; especially now that the

Japanese InterCooperation Agency proposed for a better flood control.

JICA Flood Control

The Japanese InterCooperation Agency (JICA) is an international agency which aims at helping

developing countries. The JICA proposed in establishing a dike/retaining wall around the area of

Cagayan de Oro River to minimize the flood towards downstream communities.

Based on a recent study done in collaboration with the JICA, the flow capacity of the Cagayan de

Oro River is far smaller than the design flood of 2, 500 cubic meters per second (88, 300 feet per

second). A design flood is an estimated flood design expected to reach the cubic meters mentioned by

the latter. Since the river improvement is planned and analyzed, the researchers assumed that it is

necessary to consider a dam/reservoir upstream to store the design flood to decrease the flood. In

addition, the preliminary analysis of the researchers highlights the river improvement of the Cagayan de

Oro River which can accommodate the design flood of 2,500 cubic meters per second (88,300 feet per

second). The dam/reservoir together with the dike/retaining wall, is a costly beneficiary project

estimated for about 17 years with the estimated amount of 11.5 billion pesos.

Improvement Plan

The Cagayan de Oro River improvement plan is composed of three (3) parts namely; alignment,

longitudinal profile, and improvement method. These parts are individually relegated and incorporate to

the design flood to ensure the measure that should be taken for the achievement of the purpose of the

project.

Alignment refers to the consideration of Cagayan de Oro in terms of its topography and land

use. Longitudinal profile refers to the condition of Cagayan de Oro river bed to the bed of the Macajalar

Bay. The connection of the river beds to each area may cause elevation to the river mouth area of both

Cagayan de Oro River and Macajalar Bay. Improvement method focuses to the confining of flood water

in the river course by dam/reservoir or dike/retaining wall to prevent overflowing of water in low areas.

The shape and type of dikes are designed following the Typical Design Drawings illustrated below:

Dike Type 1

Dike Type II

Retaining Wall Type II

Phases and Target Reaches (Length) of Proposed Master Plan

The JICA project is divided into three (3) parts to track the expenses allocated for the

implementation of dike and retaining wall in the Cagayan de Oro River.

The Phase 1 would approximately go for 5 years (2013-2017) with the proposed amount of 1.7

billion pesos. The Phase 2 would approximately go for about 6 years (2018-2023) with the proposed

amount of 3.4 billion pesos. The Phase 3 would approximately go for 7 years (2024-2030) with the

proposed amount of 6.4 billion pesos. To sum it up, the proposed master plan implementation would go

for about 17 years with the proposed amount of 11.5 billion pesos funded by the JICA.

The target reaches (length) of the project would go for about 11.6 kilometers from the river mouth

to Pelaez Bridge installing new dikes and restraining walls rectifying its improvements and strengths.

DENR: Voicing It Out

It was Sendong who brought vast devastation to Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) last December 17,

2011. A lot of speculations were brought up after the tragic incident.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) blamed the City government for

the typhoon Sendong tragedy. According to ABS-CBN’s interview, Engineer Alfredo Relampagos, officer-

in-charge of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 10, said, "I believe long before there was a

warning that the area is not good for habitation of humans." The DENR repeatedly warned the city

government about living in Isla de Oro is precarious.

However, City Mayor Vicente Emano answered that DENR should have done more and even

mentioned illegal logging. "DENR should study their history, these people have been living there for

more than 50 years, 50 years! Why didn't they stop them at those times? DENR should not try to wash

their hands of this just because the president is taking action," he said.

Last year, just before the tropical storm Sendong hit CDO, the DENR implemented programs,

projects and activities in keeping the Cagayan de Oro River a protected area. They implemented the

Urban Greening in some barangays in CDO including Macasandig and Camaman-an in which encouraged

the residents to participate in gardening. They also enforced Riverbank Rehabilitation and National

Greening Program among Misamis Oriental Rivers and its tributaries including the Cagayan de Oro River.

However, projects and programs of DENR did not seem to sustain and prevent the raging flood caused

by Sendong.

One resident of Macasandig, who was massively affected by flood, Suzette (not her real name),

41, said, “wala man mi kabalo anang mga projects sa DENR. Ug kung bisan naa man, wala man gihapon

nabuhat kay tan’awa karon (referring to the aftermath of Sendong).

She recently got out of the evacuating center she added “sus dai, mayo unta moabot kini akong

gisturya sa gobyerno. Kay dili kami mga pobre gapamati-on kung dili kamo mga sapi-an!”

DENR obviously was caught off guard with the tragedy so they proposed projects worth millions

to prevent the people of CDO in experiencing same destructive disaster.

Typhoon Sendong who brought vast destructions did not only take many lives and destroy

properties but also brought lessons to Kagay-anons. This year, DENR proposed interventions and

development within Cagayan de Oro and its tributaries worth P34.994M. This includes REFO, AGRO,

Riverbank Rehabilitation, construction of Gabions, installation of Telemetry (Water level sensor) and

installation of Rain Gauge. This proposed development was already submitted for funding.

If approved and funded, the DENR will start fixing the damages that Sendong made and will

plant safety measures to detect increase of water in rivers.

On the other hand, the characterization of Kalawaig Watershed was already approved and

funded worth P860,000. Kalawaig River is one of the main tributaries of Cagayan de Oro River.

Also, the preparation of Master Plan for Cagayan de Oro River Basin worth P5M is for

downloading Central Office fund.

The DENR had projects last 2011 that was worth P6.466M that was for the river bank only.

Comparing it with their proposed projects this 2012 which is worth P34.994M, this clearly shows that

they have to be prepared for such calamity like Sendong that killed a thousand and more residents of

Cagayan de Oro City who lived near the river bank and even meters away from the river bank.

A CALL FOR CHANGE

Cagayan de Oro River as a major river in Cagayan de Oro City plays a great role on the growth of the

City and its contribution to the city’s development. To develop the riverbanks does not only lead to the

development of the city tourism but also an action to protect river systems. Furthermore, it keeps

riverbanks from pollution pressure due to industrial wastes and sediments transported from watershed.

Protecting Cagayan de Oro City’s river system also entails its historical significance and capability to

sustain its development. With its potentials for eco-tourism, hydropower generation and raw water

source for drinking, domestic and industrial water supply, the city aims for sustainable development that

would benefit its people.

There are 17 Riverbank Barangays in Cagayan de Oro City namely, Balulang, Carmen, Kauswagan,

Bonbon, Macabalan, Puntod, Consolacion, Nazareth, Macasandig, Barangays 17, 15, 13, 10, 7, 6, 1 and 2.

There are various institutions comprising government, non-government organizations, foundations,

movements, trade unions and others that undertake environmental programs and awareness in the city.

One of these institutions is Safer River, life Safer Foundation Inc. “Global warming is a threatening

scenario. It brings effects that will greatly affect us and the environment. People all over the world are

experiencing the effects like the sudden change of weather, extreme hotness and others. People should

understand the significance of planting trees and other means of protecting our environment,” says Dr.

Rosalinda Herbana, Executive Director at Safer River, Life Saver Foundation Inc.

Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Incorporated or SRLSFI is a corporate social responsibility of Liceo

de Cagayan University that has been in action since its foundation on April 9, 1997. It is a community

service in extension and research.Theyaim to protect and enhance the ecology of the Cagayan River and

other rivers within the city to maximize benefits from its utilization.

The 17 Riverbank Barangays are the beneficiaries of the SRLSFI, with Liceo de Cagayan University’s

Center for Environmental Studies (CES) primarily tasked to respond to the demands of “Safer River, Life

Saver”.

As a Non-Government Organization, they are maximizing the benefits which they can derive

from the river’s vast potential for the best interest of the society in particular for common welfare of its

residents along the riverbanks in general.

Programs

The foundation aims to inculcate to people the equal responsibility to keep up environmental

endeavors and share in the effort to protect and preserve nature.

Planting trees is one of the programs that the foundation aims to promote.The foundation

invites people to participate in tree planting. It says that the benefits tree planting provides are: to filter

pollution from the air, help recycle water, prevent soil loss, create shade, give shelter from wind and

rain, provide homes for animals, make food for humans and wildlife, provide an interestng, soothing,

learning environment for children and the community.

Clean-up drive and tree growing are what this organization has been doing for a long time. They

celebrated along with the rest of the world last September 27, 2011 the 26 th International Coastal Clean-

up Day with the theme “Fresh Free Seas”. The DENR Region 10 conducted a simultaneous clean-up in

the coastal barangays of CdeO and other key municipalities in the region. The organization of LDCU

participated in the said activity together with the students of the university.

The Social Orientation 3 students partook in the clean up program at Barangay Carmen, Cagayan

de Oro City in September 15, 2011.

Source: Quarterly Report of SRLSFI

Eco-tourism program for Cagayan de Oro river has been one of the chief targets of Saver River,

Life Saver Inc. The river clearly is a great potential for development and growth which the city needs to

tap. It provides employment and a prospective center for trade and eco-tourism.

SRLSFI initiated a river tour program that intends to provide an alternative mode of

transportation and to promote the Cagayan de Oro river as a main tourist attraction among local and

foreign visitors in the city. It is also a way to preserve the river. Through the river tour, SRLSFI has been

doing campaigns for evironmental programs and have taken primary role in the protection, preservation

and rehabilitation of Cagayan de Oro.

Partner institutions

The foundation also partners with some of the organizations in responding to the clamor in

protecting water resources from pollution. It aims to pursue collaborative efforts and commence and

assist in creating opportunities with other sectors to create active support in achieving community

growth and development. These are: Cagayan Development Authority, City Local Environment and

Natural Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works

and Highways, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Goverment, Environmental

Education Network of the Philippines, Regional Development Council, Bureau of Mines and Sciences

and other partner working groups.

Riverbank Development and City Planning: A Paper trail

President Aquino ordered Camp Alagar to keep people away from river deltas in the city, last

December 20, 2012.

“These areas are no longer safe. Delikadodyan,” Aquino said.

He gave the instructions to police regional director Chief Supt. JufelAdriatico. On the other hand,

Adriatico initiated the prevention of the families to rebuild their houses at Isla de Oro, Isla Copa, Isla

Bugnaw, Isla Baksan and Isla Delta, among others.

City police director Senior Supt. Gerardo Rosales, who was under Chief Supt. Adriatico’s

instructions also helped on the said actions.

Aquino’s order came after National Risk Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council executive

director Benito Ramos gave updates in the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong.

According to Former Mayor ConstantinoJaraula, President Aquino was right in ordering the

people from returning to the islets. Still, he admitted that it was really difficult to make people stop

living in the flood-prone areas. “Now, people must understand why they cannot be allowed to return.

Dilinamagpagahiugulo.”Jaraula, who served as the city mayor from 2007 to 2010, said “I ran out of time.

This was his statement after calling the city hall to pursue the Golden Mile project which was stopped.

He urged them to “go back to the basics” and work to remove the islets and all the obstructions along

the Cagayan River.

When typhoon Sendong struck the city, the river became swollen and communities were

inundated. The death toll and the damages were the biggest so far in the city in recent years.

The aborted project by Jaraula was aimed at expanding and straightening the riverbanks to

ensure a faster water flow to the Macajalar Bay. This, he said, was the advice given to him by three

experts: Dr. Kevin Rodolfo, Prof. Fernando Seringan and Dr. MaharLagmay. Jaraula’s plan was to develop

a mile-long boulevard beside the river and a walkaway on the other side (Carmen side). For starters, it

was supposed to go all the way towards JR Borja Street.

In 2007, when he announced the project, he said that it would be unwise for the next mayor and

his other successors to not continue the said project.

In September 2009, he received the letter from the DENR that warned city hall about the

“inhabitable” areas along the Cagayan River. In it, DENR advised the local government to start the

relocation of the families near the flood-prone areas. He said that the DENR was late in sending the

letter. “Since 1996, I’ve been advocating for the development of the river but DENR never did anything.”

It was because of Jaraula’s advocacy to develop the river that the Cagayan de Oro River

Development Authority (CORDA) was created.

Moreover, the project would not have solved 100 percent the problem of Sendong but it could

have lessened the damages, he emphasized. When he took over as city mayor, the river development

was one of the top priorities of the government. Since, it takes six to 10 years to do all of that, he would

probably run out of time to accomplish this project.

Mayor Vicente Emano expressed apprehensions on Aquino’s order. However, he had proposed

to allow the families to rebuild their houses back on the river deltas. Still, the government needs to put

an action of when these residents are to be forced to evacuate. With this, Aquino rejected on Emano’s

proposal.

Meanwhile, according to Vice Mayor Ian Acenas, the city hall could not prevent the residents

from occupying the river deltas again given the inconvenient state of evacuation centers in the

aftermath of Typhoon Sendong.

Lucille Sering, vice chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Climate Change, said if the

local officials would fail to use their authorities in taking the people away from harm, they would never

doubt to sue them with criminal charges.

Gold Star Daily, December 21, 2011

Gold Star Daily, December 22, 2011

Gold Star Daily, January 2, 2012

Projects along the Riverbank

Cagayan de Oro City or the so-called “The City of Golden Friendship” has been recently developing

through building infrastructures for the city’s attraction and tourism.

On 1990, Metro CDO Special Development Project (MCSDP) was a plan made for the development of

Cagayan de Oro City when the city was perceived to soon be a metropolitan city. This even gave way to

Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor Special Development Project (CIC-SDP), a joint leadership alliance

between Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Regional Development

Council (RDC) X and XII, which the implementation was started on year 1993. Evident to this plan is the

construction of the Laguindingan standard airport.

To date, the known projects along the riverbank in Cagayan de Oro are the Golden Mile Project and

Paseo del Rio.

Golden Mile Project is a 600-meter long walkway from the City Hall to the fifth Kagay-an bridge. Along

with it is also the one kilometre boulevard along the streets of Toribio Chaves and J.R. Borja. This project

was initiated by the former Mayor of the city, Mr. Constantino G. Jaraula. For him, this project is to

beautify the city to attract the investors as well as the tourists, also, to promote the Cagayan de Oro

River.

Paseo del Rio is a multi-million project in complement to the City Government’s project Golden Mile.

Pelaez’s business enterprise will be situated around the premises of the Kagay-an bridge. Designed by

Filipino Architect Felino Palafox, Jr. of Palafox Associates, Paseo del Rio will soon be known as the new

emerge growing area.

Even though it has been flooded by the recent typhoon (Sendong or internationally known as Washi),

City Councilor Emmanuel Abejuela claimed that Paseo has been able to incorporate a development plan;

a river protection portion which will then be included to the Golden Mile Project.

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