Families Seek Safety Outside as Quakes Ruin Homes in Mati City
Two days after a powerful double quake struck Manay in Davao Oriental, at least 30 families in Mati City remained camped by the Diversion Road, where makeshift shelters and tents dotted the roadside in what has become a makeshift refuge. The scene, witnessed by MindaNews on Sunday, underscores the ongoing vulnerability of residents who chose the outdoors over uncertain shelter at home.
Where the Camps Sit: Golden Valley and Beyond
The roadside encampment is along the Diversion Road near Golden Valley, a location where hundreds of vehicles queued on Friday night as anxious residents sought refuge. Some displaced families traveled from far places, including Purok Malinawon II in Calagundian, Barangay Central. The road became a temporary lifeline as homeowners weighed the risk of aftershocks and possible tsunamis along the shore.
Two Nights of Uncertainty
On Sunday, the Avenido family—Arnold, 43, and Mera, 49—described a tense weekend with ten children aged 7 to 17, plus three young adults in their care. They said their house sits next to a structure heavily damaged by the quakes and near the shoreline, heightening worries about potential waves and ground movement. Arnold, who works as a tricycle driver and sometimes as an extra laborer for the city hall, said the family felt safer outdoors than close to the water’s edge.
Life at the Edge: Challenges of Outdoor Living
The Golden Valley campsite has its own hardships. Rainy weather makes traditional foam sleeping mats impractical, so families resort to tarps and improvised canals to drain water away from their sleeping areas. Some residents were donated tarps by neighbors, helping to tailor space for large families. Water supply is inconsistent, and there is no electricity in the area, complicating communication and access to updates about aid or return-to-home plans.
Local Response and the Call for Clear Guidance
Residents like the Avenidos are awaiting definitive decisions from local authorities about when it will be safe to return home. The uncertainty weighs heavily as aftershocks continue to rattle Mati City, with pebbles and debris scattered across streets and occasional tremors reported in the days since the initial Friday quakes. While social workers focus on evacuation centers, families in the roadside camps rely on the goodwill of neighbors and occasional private aid, which comes in the form of food, basic supplies, or signals of government assistance. A family arrived with a bag of rice on Saturday, though the origin—private citizen or government worker—remains unclear.
Daily Realities and Hope for Stability
For Arnold and Mera, the priority is security and the ability to sustain their household while keeping their children safe. Mera’s role as a cook to earn a bit of income reflects the pragmatic routines that families cling to after a disaster—fueling hope with small, steady means of support. The couple’s resilience mirrors a broader community effort to endure while waiting for a clear, official assessment of risks and a plan for orderly shelter relocation or return to homes that might have survived or been rebuilt since the disaster.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for Mati City Families
As officials weigh the best course of action, families along the Diversion Road remain vulnerable to weather, heat, and the unpredictability of aftershocks. The longer the wait for a definitive return-to-home decision, the more essential it becomes to ensure accessible aid, reliable communication, and safe, dignified shelter options for those who have already endured severe upheaval. In the days ahead, the community will likely continue to rely on a mix of local government planning, emergency services, and the continued generosity of neighbors and volunteers who provide essential relief to families seeking stability after the quakes.
