Verbena flooded Southern Cebu: ‘Zero casualty’

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Some parts of southern Cebu were inundated as Tropical Depression Verbena dumped intense rains across several towns and cities at dawn on Tuesday, even as Metro Cebu and the northern municipalities continue to reel from the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino earlier this month and the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake last month.

Despite massive flooding in Carcar City and in the towns of Barili, Dumanjug, and Ronda, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported no fatalities.

PDRRMO head Dennis Pastor credited the “best response” of local government units (LGUs), citing widespread preemptive and forced evacuations before the rains intensified.

“Everybody obeyed the LGU advisory to go on preemptive evacuation… I hope this continues and that we maintain this alert status and cooperation,” Pastor said.

Heavy rainfall caused rivers and spillways to overflow, submerging low-lying communities and disrupting mobility across Carcar City, Ronda, Dumanjug, and Barili.

In Carcar City, the spillway in Barangay Poblacion I overflowed at around 2 a.m., sending floodwaters rushing toward Poblacion II and III. Families had already been evacuated hours earlier before the flooding peaked.

A total of 101 families or 439 individuals from Barangays Poblacion I, II, III and Ocaña were brought to the city gym, said Carcar DRRMO head Joyce Mae Powao. She noted that rains began as a drizzle at 8 p.m. Monday, intensified past 11 p.m., and eventually caused the spillway’s breach.

Floodwaters reached the bridge in Poblacion III and rendered several roads impassable, though these subsided by 8 a.m. Major establishments, including shops and gasoline stations, also reported flooding.

Despite the incident, Carcar pushed through with its celebration of the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The provincial government delivered immediate assistance, including 1,000 hot meals, 1,000 food packs, 1,000 bottles of water, and 210 boxes of prophylaxis distributed earlier.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro visited Carcar and praised Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas for enforcing forced evacuations, saying the LGU’s proactive approach “made a difference” in preventing casualties.

“Mao nay deperensiya kung ang mayor naa gud, so proactive jud. Forced evacuation dayon, so mao na—na-mitigate nato ang casualty and damages,” Baricuatro said.

She postponed a scheduled flight to Manila to oversee relief efforts in all affected areas. She said Capitol’s funds remain sufficient but added that donations would help sustain operations. Baricuatro also instructed the PDRRMO to assess equipment gaps, noting that emergency procurement is underway.

Carcar mayor to focus on drainage problems

Barcenas said the city will now focus on addressing longstanding drainage issues, including overflows linked to unfinished riprapping and clogged canals.

“Kalooy sa Ginoo, gipanalanginan jud,” he said, thankful that no lives were lost.

Baricuatro also called for an investigation into the causes of the flooding, particularly unfinished riprapping along the Poblacion I spillway.

She said she will formally seek equipment support from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Kontra Baha program for dredging operations.

The governor urged LGUs to maintain strict coordination with the province, stressing that preparedness, adherence to advisories, and proactive leadership remain crucial.

Barili Town

In Barili, MDRRMO chief Richel Montemayor reported flooding in Barangays Poblacion, Paril, Sta. Ana, and San Rafael.

The Sta. Ana River—a major waterway draining runoff from upland areas—overflowed between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Tuesday. Some residents were caught off guard since earlier storms had not caused the river to swell as much.

As of 7 a.m., 126 families or 425 individuals were affected, though many began returning home as waters receded. By yesterday morning, floodwaters in Ronda, Dumanjug, and Barili had already subsided, and all major roads were passable, though rice fields in Carcar remained underwater.

Cebu City

The Cebu City Government also reported zero casualties and no damage to property.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) chief Aderson Comar said river monitoring stations never reached critical levels, underscoring the effectiveness of the city’s preemptive measures.

Mayor Nestor Archival supervised the disaster response from City Hall since late Monday, even cancelling his official trip to Yokohama, Japan, for the Smart Cities Conference to oversee preparations.

At the height of the storm, 69 evacuation centers across the city sheltered more than 5,800 evacuees from over 1,500 families. Barangay health centers provided medical monitoring to ensure evacuees were cared for.

Earlier preemptive evacuations had already moved nearly 4,800 people to safety, preventing congestion during the storm’s peak. The city government began assisting evacuees in returning home yesterday afternoon.

Lapu-Lapu City

In Barangay Pangan-an on Olango Island, more than 20 houses were damaged as Verbena lashed the area with strong winds and heavy rains.

Barangay Captain Jun Casiao said the number is significantly higher than the five houses damaged during Typhoon Tino, underscoring Verbena’s stronger impact.

He reported that 22 houses were partially damaged and nine pump boats were sunk or suffered engine trouble due to rough seas.

Damage was recorded in four of the barangay’s nine sitios—Bon-bon, Song-on, Looc Tunga, and Tabay.

Casiao ordered an evacuation at around 1:40 a.m. as seawater rose and waves intensified. Eight households or 28 individuals living near the coast were brought to the Daycare Center beside the Sports Complex in Sitio Bon-bon.

The evacuees were able to return to their homes yesterday morning. Casiao said no casualties or injuries were recorded.