Hundreds of evacuees from Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City will spend more days inside their temporary shelter at the barangay gym. Their planned return home on Friday, December 5, 2025, was postponed due to the continued threat posed by Tropical Depression Wilma.
Safety First: Decampment Postponed Due to Wilma
Barangay Captain Reb "Biboy" Cortes confirmed the decision to delay the decampment. He explained that the ongoing weather disturbance made it unsafe for residents to go back to their communities. The original plan for evacuees to return home on December 5 was scrapped as authorities prioritized safety.
"They were supposed to decamp today, but Tropical Depression Wilma is still affecting us, so we decided to wait until the storm passes," Cortes stated. He also reported initial damage assessments, noting that around six to eight houses have been heavily damaged by the recent severe weather.
Beyond the Storm: No Power, Water, and Lingering Floods
Even for those whose homes are still standing, returning is not a simple option. Captain Cortes highlighted that many refuse to go back due to a critical lack of basic utilities and persistent flooding.
"Some don't want to go back yet because there is still no power or water, and floodwater remains in their area, making the surroundings smell," he said. This combination of factors creates an uninhabitable environment, forcing families to extend their stay in the evacuation center.
Trauma and Loss: Evacuees Grapple with Past and Present Fears
For evacuee Lorena Montebon, the current situation triggers painful memories of the devastating Typhoon Tino. She recalled the terror of that event, which severely affected their home.
"We were terrified because we still carry the trauma from Typhoon Tino, especially since my children were trapped inside our house," Montebon shared. During Tino, floodwaters rose so high that her family was forced to climb onto the roof as water reached the second floor of their home.
"It was our first time experiencing something like that. We had been flooded before, but only during Typhoon Tino did we experience it that badly," she added. Montebon and her family have now been staying at the Umapad Gym evacuation center for nearly a month.
The emotional toll is even heavier for resident Nenita Del Carmen, who found her house completely washed out after the storm. "When I saw our house, everything was gone. All our belongings were washed away. Nothing was left," she said emotionally. Del Carmen evacuated with only a small bag containing minimal clothing.
She expressed the profound anxiety shared by many, linking recent disasters. "With Wilma now, it feels like we might be shaken again. We were already traumatized by the earthquake, and then Typhoon Tino happened right after. It’s hard to sleep because it feels like my chest is constantly tightening," Del Carmen confessed.
As Barangay Umapad residents wait for safer conditions and the restoration of electricity and water supply, they continue to face a challenging recovery. Their wait in the gym is compounded by fear, uncertainty, and the haunting memories of past disasters, with everyone hoping for a swift and stable return to normalcy.
