Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva ordered an immediate review of river safety measures and emergency response protocols following the deaths of two Grade 10 students who were swept away by strong currents in the Himogaan River in Brgy. Malubon, Sagay City, recently.
The directive came after the completion of a three-day joint search, rescue, and retrieval operation conducted from January 9 to 11 involving the Sagay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group, Bantay Suba volunteers, barangay councils, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the police, a press release from Sagay City said Tuesday, Jan. 20. .
The incident occurred on January 9, when 10 students went to the river to celebrate a birthday and were caught by a sudden flash flood caused by heavy rainfall in upstream mountainous areas.
All of the students were able to reach the riverbank, except for two male students, aged 16 and 15, who were carried away by the strong current.
The first victim was found on January 11 at about 10 a.m. at the Fabrica Wharf by members of Bantay Suba of Brgy. Paraiso, while the second victim was recovered on January 11, at around 11 p.m. in Sitio Dukol-Dukol, Brgy. Himogaan Baybay, several kilometers downstream from the site of the incident.
Cueva expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and said the city government shares in their grief over the tragic loss of young lives.
He also directed the CDRRMO, barangay officials, and concerned city offices to strengthen preventive measures, including clearer warning systems, stricter monitoring of river activities, and intensified public information campaigns, especially during the rainy season.
The mayor emphasized the need to improve early warning coordination between upland and lowland barangays to ensure that sudden changes in river conditions are communicated quickly and effectively.
City officials said the local government will also assess existing river access points, signage, and community-based monitoring mechanisms to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
The Sagay CDRRMO said the completed operation tested the physical and emotional endurance of responders, who continued the mission under difficult conditions until all possible efforts were exhausted.
The agency also called for understanding and responsible public discourse, noting that emergency responders undergo continuous training and operate under protocols designed to save lives in complex and unpredictable situations.
Cueva said the city government remains committed to learning from the incident, supporting first responders, and strengthening disaster preparedness to better protect communities.
He also thanked the CDRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard (CGSS and SOG), Bureau of Fire-Sagay, the police, Bantay Suba groups, barangay councils of Malubon and Paraiso, for helping in the search and retrieval operation.*