3 MIN READ

By GWEN GAONGEN
www.nordis.net

SAGADA, Mountain Province — Search and rescue operations for 38 trapped tourists and guides in Sagada’s Sumaguing cave from August 18th to the 23rd highlights a community’s and inter-agency cooperation in a timely response to emergencies in one town.

Separate groups of tourists and their guides entered the Sumaguing cave on the morning of August 18. The rain was light in the morning as they left for the tour they said. They were unaware that the rains became heavier toward lunch time. When the groups were to exit Sumaguing, strong waters were already cascading in various areas in the cave preventing the groups from leaving.

Omaweng, one of the guides who noticed the swift rising water level immediately rushed out and reported the situation to guide organizations who notified the LGU. Had Omaweng delayed, he would have been trapped too with the rest off those inside the cave. This meant response could have come much later or only when the inns and guide associations would notice the guides and visitors lengthy absence.

Search and rescue operations started at around 1pm Sunday. The spirit of voluntarism prevailed. Guides from various organizations, village folk, drivers, the LGU of Sagada and Besao, PNP, NGOs, AFP and other government agencies responded and converged at Sumaguing to aid in the search and rescue operations. Food, blankets, firewood, lighting equipment, ropes, pumps and other rescue equipment from individuals and organizations arrived as they were brought in.

The roaring waters prevented verbal communication with the trapped people. Their lamps had all run out of kerosene and darkness enveloped them. “The icy cold water in the cave was rising and the currents was getting stronger. It was so hard for us to reach the trapped people” said one rescuer.

Clothed only in underpants and were otherwise naked, the guides secured themselves in harness and rope and entered the pools. “Mentalek kami isnan kapadasan ya kabaelan, isnan kikib-a ya ta maibala nan natrap” (“We relied on our experience and capability, on our comrades and the drive to rescue the trapped people”.) said a guide.

At around 5:30pm the last person from the first batch of rescued 21 tourists and guides was brought out of the cave. This batch included the 13 Japanese tourists. They came from a cave-connection tour.

Later, the rescuers sent down food, clothing and flashlights secured inside plastic water containers and anchored by ropes. All were relieved and encouraged when the trapped groups signaled with the flashlights they received, indicating life.

Another group of 8 were rescued at around 10:30pm. This batch included the Natonin students, and 2 from Pampanga. Rescuers said they found the group huddled on a small rock near the “Kings Curtain” surrounded by the the rushing water .

The last person brought out alive was Rodolfo Bendola Jr. of Dagupan city at 2:30 early Monday (August 19) morning. He crawled and fought the strong waters from the swiming pool to the “turtle” where rescuers found him. He only had the lights from the rescuers as beacon.

All the tourists and guides rescued were hungry, wet, cold and had minor injuries. Only the last person out had heavy bruises on his leg where he tied the rope to prevent himself from being swept away by the water. Forty-nine year old Irene Manaois of Dagupan, Pangasinan is yet to be found. The missing woman, according to her male companion, was unable to hold on to the rope and was swept away by the torrential water.

On-going search operations by Sagada locals and coast guard divers from La Union remained futile as of Friday morning August 23rd. Water from the pools are currently being drained in an attempt to reduce water flow that may hasten search operations. “We will continue to search. For as long as the people do not give up and we have not yet exhausted all means, we will do so,” the LGU officials said.

Tourism is a major source of livelihood for hundreds of families in Sagada. This incident may be a catalyst for the community and government officials and agencies to define stronger sustainable and safe tourism policies and guidelines. Equally important is the political will to enforce them. # nordis.net