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Tanay survivor recalls losing grip of grandchild as waters slam jeep


One of the survivors aboard a jeepney that was swept away by flash flood in Tanay, Rizal tearfully recalled losing her four-year-old grandchild in the tragedy that killed seven other senior citizens.

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The victims were on their way home after claiming their cash subsidy or ayuda from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) when the incident happened, Joseph Morong reported on “24 Oras” on Monday.

“Nakita namin 'yung baha dumadating na. Ang laki nga. Hindi naman namin maiurong na 'yung jeep…Nagpulasan na itong mga senior citizens, nung magpulasan na, mga nahimatay na sa loob, mga senior. Ngayon, umaanod na sila. Patay na 'yung iba,” said survivor Nelia Delos Reyes.

(We saw the floodwater coming, but we cannot make the jeepney go back. That’s when the senior citizens panicked. Some of them lost consciousness and were swept away by the waters. They died.)

Based on the initial investigation, the jeepney with its 25 passengers was crossing the Lanatin River —the second out of the seven rivers the beneficiaries had to traverse —when the water suddenly rose.

Eight people died from the incident —  the oldest was 92 years old while the youngest was Delos Reyes’ grandson Myller Kit.

“Aakyat na lang ako sa bubong. Iaakyat ko 'yung apo ko, tinamaan ako ng malaking alon. Naanod kami. Nabitawan ko ang aking apo. Napakasakit po. Gusto ko na nga rin sana magpakaanod eh narescue nila ako. Sabi ko nga 'wag na ako. Pabayaan nyo na ako.’ Tatalon na rin ako sa sobrang sakit,” Delos Reyes said.

(I was supposed to climb to the roof. I was trying to get my grandchild up there but a powerful surge hit me. We were swept away by the water and I lost grip of my grandchild. It thought of jumping in the river, but someone rescued me.)

Like Delos Reyes, Santiago Quinto also lost a loved one after his wife died from the tragedy. He said they were initially planning to use the P4,600 worth of ayuda for Christmas but the incident took away both his wife and their money.

“Nadaganan siya. Naapak-apakan pa siya. Naanod pa siya. Malayo ang inanuran. Papasko sana namin 'yun. Wala na napurnada lahat…Natangay din pati cellphone, payong, bag niya,” he said.

(My wife got almost crushed during the chaos, she was swept away by the waters. The money was supposedly for Christmas…but no, our plans are now gone. Her cellphone, umbrella and bag were also missing.)

Quinto appealed to the government to find a way to send the money to them, so they won't have to cross seven rivers.

"Dapat ipahatid na lang dito,kasi mahirap pag pauwi-uwi, pag tawid-tawid, biro mo pitong ilog yang dadaanan," he said.

(We hope they can find a way to send the money to us because it's hard to cross seven rivers.)

Delos Reyes said she received an ATM card but found it was empty. The DSWD said it is checking if her card has been funded.

Meanwhile, the local government of Tanay called on the DSWD to bring subsidies to the intended beneficiaries similar to their practice.

“Mga senior na ito eh. Mga katutubo ito, mga IPs (indigenous people). Alam naman natin, puro tuturuan mo, ia-assist mo 'yan. Kaya medyo nakabagal ng payment ng DSWD thru Landbank. Dahil mayroon kasing agreement ang DSWD at Landbank na sila ang mag-disburse,” said Tanay Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco.

“Siguro, padaanin na lang sa local MSWD na katuwang ang Municipal Treasurer’s Office,” he said.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said DSWD finished the distribution of subsidies at around 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“Inaayos na po natin ang ating magiging guidelines. If there’s any threat of possible na sama ng panahon, ngayon po agaran na rin namin sususpindihin o ipatitigil o ireschedule ang mga nakatalaga natin na mga payout, mga cash assistance,” said Lopez.

(We’re preparing the guidelines. If there’s any threat or possibility of bad weather, then we will suspend or reschedule the payouts and cash assistance.)

The survivors were given financial and burial assistance. However, the town residents urged the government to build roads so they won't have to cross rivers.

“Gusto sana namin ‘yung wala na kaming tatawirin na ilog,” said delos Reyes. (We want to have roads so we won't have to cross rivers.)

Tanjuatco said the local government are now planning for the construction of roads.

“Hinihingi pa namin ang clearance niyan sa PAMB (Protected Area Management Board) sa DENR. Kasi under tayo ng protected area, ‘yang Kaliwa River, Kaliwa Dam na ‘yan. Kaya lahat ng pagawain, dadaan sa PAMB,” he said.)

(We’re now asking for a clearance from the PAMB because we’re under the protected areas — the Kaliwa River and Kaliwa Dam. That’s why all of our projects will go through the PAMB.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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