Memorial wall to be constructed for ‘Sendong’ victims

A MEMORIAL wall is set to be constructed at the Gaston Park to remember those who perished at the height of Tropical Storm Sendong in December 2011.

On Friday, groundbreaking of the marker was conducted by JCI Bai Lawanen, the project’s proponent.

A MEMORIAL wall is set to be constructed at the Gaston Park to remember those who perished at the height of Tropical Storm Sendong in December 2011.

On Friday, groundbreaking of the marker was conducted by JCI Bai Lawanen, the project’s proponent.

The marker, which measures eight feet tall and 12 feet wide, will be engraved with the names of those who died in the flash flood based on the list of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

Based on the NDRRMC list, at least 674 persons have been reported died during the tragedy.

However, of the number, only 459 were in the master list who have already been identified.

Once the list is updated, the JCI would also update the engraved names on the wall.

Jean Tulang, JCI member and project chair, said they conceptualized the project in January in the hope to remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Tulang said the project also hopes to honor the donors and benefactors, the gallant rescuers, the resilience of the survivors and the conviction of Kagay-anons to rebuild their lives.

“Because in a way, something deep inside us also died when our relatives, friends, co-workers and neighbors died,” she said.

Tulang said during the one-year anniversary of ‘Sendong’ tragedy, JCI Bai Lawanen hopes to gather the families of those who died and other sectors at the memorial wall as a way of remembering them.

Mayor Vicente Emano graced Friday’s groundbreaking and lowering of capsule.

“This will also reflect to the world that people are working together and it makes a difference in making the city go back to be a city in bloom, blossom and in boom,” Emano said.

Families of the victims and other sectors will be invited during the unveiling of the marker once it is finished.

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on March 24, 2012.