Sourced: Sunstar Cebu..
AFTER gathering seashells near Mandaue City’s Reclamation Area, a teenager and his brother suffered electric shocks when they tried to wash themselves in a small pond in Barangay Paknaan.
The older boy died after saving his brother’s life.
Labogon Barangay Captain Damaso Tumulak learned from the boy’s mother that Jessie Guido, 12, first went into the pond and struggled as he shouted for help. They did not see a live wire immersed in the pond.
Panagbenga 2009 blog
His brother Jeffrey, 18, immediately grabbed him and was electrocuted.
“Nalabay ning gamay layo na sa lim-aw, mao tong nabuhi (He managed to grab the younger boy and pull him out of the pond, and that saved his life),” said Tumulak.
Jeffrey was fished out of the pond and rushed to the Mandaue City District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Jessie was in a stable condition as of press time.
But the family plans to sue the private contractor, Simon Enterprises, after receiving only a coffin and P1,000 as burial assistance, said Tumulak.
He learned from the mother that a “Danger Area” sign was placed near the pond.
Mandaue City Hall’s special projects consultant Edmund Sanchez said the project was still with Simon Enterprises and has not been turned over to the City. It is supposed to be done by 2010.
Both of Mandaue’s major reclamation projects began during the previous administration. An area in Barangay Subangdaku, near the city’s boundary with Cebu City, was reclaimed by F.F. Cruz. The second area is near the city’s boundary with Consolacion town and implemented by numerous contractors, including Simon Enterprises.
The second area spans 81 hectares in Labogon, Paknaan and parts of Basak, said Sanchez. It is still in its first phase.
Simon Enterprises was repeatedly contacted but chose not to comment yesterday.
PO1 Gil Tomada said the electrocution happened in Sitio Tulay, Barangay Paknaan. It was an area occupied by Simon Enterprises, said Barangay Captain Oscar Mendoza. He said the area was near the Tayud-Paknaan bridge, part of the National Government’s North Coastal Road project.
Appeal
It was not clear if a live wire was intentionally placed in the pond to ward off intruders, or fell in by accident.
Tumulak advised the mother to report their complaint to the police. He also urged them to see the Simon Enterprises owner or manager to appeal for additional help.
He advised them to see the City Social Welfare Office for a case summary, as this will be used if she requests aid from the City Government.
At most, their barangay could give only P5,000 on top of the City’s aid.
Sanchez said the lack of coordination with the Philippine Reclamation Authority stalled the project.
City Hall did not shell out money for the project, because the contractor was supposed to pay for it, in exchange for a major share of the reclaimed area.
Sanchez said the sharing scheme used to be 78 percent for the contractor, with 22 percent going to the City.
A later agreement, however, expanded the project area to 207 hectares for two phases. No contractor has been chosen yet for the expansion, of which the City will get 30 percent.
(OCP)
Teen dies in City’s recla project
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
