Villagers can take legal action if floods 'man-made', says NGO

 By Olivia Miwil - October 4, 2021 @ 11:12am

Sugud Flood victim Maidol Paulim, 68, whose left leg was amputated waiting at the construction site for his new house donated by Osimal Foundation. The structure can be completed within a week using the Industrialised Building System (IBS). - NSTP/Olivia Miwil

PENAMPANG: Villagers can consider legal action over the recent Sugud village floods if proven it was caused by external factors.

A spokesman from non-governmental organisation (NGO) Osimal Foundation said they met the villagers yesterday to discuss the incident that severely affected the people.

"We can consider legal action if there is a basis and that man-made activities caused the flooding… but right now we are in the dark.

"There will be three experts in the field who will be going through the Environmental Impact Assessment reports," he said.

Once the case is proven, it will be up to the villagers to pursue legal action and form their committee.

The spokesperson also added there will be two senior lawyers who are ready to step up to help the villagers.

However, he said the priority for the foundation now was to ensure the people, especially those at Tinudzon Sugud get access to basic necessities.

The Sept 15 five-hour downpour turned Sugud into a muddy village.

It also swept away houses and cars, affected the piping system and power supply among others.

"Even until now, some of them (who lost their homes) are staying in tents and there is a family with a baby staying in a car while waiting for assistance.

"It is dangerous as it is still the rainy season, and they can develop pneumonia," he said, adding the foundation had provided some funds to build four houses.

The houses, with a living room, master bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, is built within a week using the Industrialised Building System (IBS).

Apart from that, as of yesterday, Osimal also provided 20 poly-pipes of various sizes and pipe fittings for the villagers to connect a water catchment in the forest.

He said the contribution was made possible with donations from friends of Osimal from all over the country.

"I did a survey around the village on a motorcycle, made a report and brought Osimal representatives to the site to assess the situation on Sept 24.

"After their visit, they agreed to help in terms of repairing the gravity water pipes and building houses for victims at Tinduzon Sugud."

The foundation will also help with water gravity repairing projects at Kampung Suok Maang which is adjacent to the Sugud area.