Northern Negros reef closed after four drowned in a strong current

[ASEAN NOW News]

DROWNING INCIDENT. Responders provide assistance to excursionists after a drowning incident at the Kabilang-bilangan Reef in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Sunday (Aug. 28, 2022). Four of the 16 persons who visited the area drowned due to strong current, the police said. (Photo courtesy of Cadiz City Coast Guard Sub-Station)

 

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental said on Monday the city government will temporarily prohibit the public from going to the Kabilang-bilangan Reef in Barangay Sicaba after four excursionists drowned on Sunday afternoon.

 

“Starting today, we will try to close the facility until further notice or until such time we can introduce appropriate safety measures,” he said in a radio interview.

 

Escalante said the area is a coral reef and people are allowed to visit although they are just being cautioned to be always alert to strong currents which usually occur during high tides.

 

On Sunday, a group of 16 people visited for a day’s relaxation, but the trip turned tragic after four of them drowned at around 1 p.m.

 

The Cadiz City Police Station identified the fatalities as Marlyn Aguirre, 33, and son McJohn Aguirre, 15; Remymar Ocon, 31; and Michael John Merabe, 13.

 

The report said the elder Aguirre and the two other victims attempted to rescue McJohn, but they all drowned due to the strong current.

 

Escalante said the city government has been planning to regulate visits to the Kabilang-bilangan Reef, considering that a lot of people have been coming lately to the area, which is just near the mainland of northern Negros city.

 

At present, there is a 15-foot tower with a roof deck on the reef.

 

He said the plan is to replicate the management of the famous sandbar in Manjuyod, Negros Oriental in regulating the activities at the reef, adding they intend to set up safety facilities and deploy Philippine Coast Guard and Bantay Dagat personnel.

 

“I’ve long planned to implement this. We have budget limitations but it’s already in the pipeline. Then there is an untoward incident and it’s just unfortunate it happened to this group,” Escalante said. (PNA)