Just two weeks after Typhoon Tino unleashed devastating floods across northern Cebu, Danao City has demonstrated a powerful and organized community-driven response, accelerating its urgent recovery from the disaster.
Assessing the Damage and Mobilizing a Response
According to data from the Danao City Government, the storm significantly impacted 14 out of the city's 42 barangays. Four of these communities sustained the most severe damage, overwhelmed by large debris and the overflowing of local rivers.
Despite the challenging conditions, the city government pushed forward with a comprehensive strategy. This included efficient clearing and restoration work, the delivery of relief goods, health protection measures, and the strategic realignment of infrastructure projects to bolster future resilience.
Leadership in Action: From City Hall to the Community
Mayor Ramon "Nito" Durano III provided decisive leadership, directing all city employees—including those who were themselves victims of the flooding—to return to work and assist in the recovery. The mayor immediately mobilized personnel into field teams tasked with conducting parallel cleanup operations.
These teams focused their efforts on the flooded City Hall complex, adjacent public facilities, and the areas hardest hit by the typhoon. For an entire week, these dedicated personnel worked tirelessly with a clear goal: to restore normalcy for the people of Danao, clear dangerous debris, and, most importantly, help displaced families return to their homes.
The Power of Bayanihan: A Community Unites
The spirit of bayanihan, or communal unity, was the true engine of Danao's resurgence from November 10 to 14. Volunteers from mountainous barangays descended to the lowlands to join the massive clearing operations.
This city-wide effort saw an incredible convergence of support. National government agencies, private companies based in Danao, various civic groups, and countless individual volunteers all contributed their manpower and equipment. This collective force was instrumental in reopening blocked roads and helping residents reclaim their properties, proving that in Danao, no one rebuilds alone.
