⌛ A student drowned in Lake Balanan ,Siation

Manila-based student drowned in Lake Balanan
By Janice on Jan 5, 2008 in News

A POLITICAL science student of the Far Eastern University (FEU) was drowned at Lake Balanan in Siaton town.

Ramstead Tubongbanua identified the victm as Jim Geril Geralde, 22 years old. Geralde’s body was recently recovered by the Negros Oriental Search and Rescue Team headed by Boyet Somoza.

Tubongbanua said he was with the victim during the incident. Tubongbanua was saved by people who were also at the lake.

Geralde’s dead body was seen floating just in time of the arrival of the victim’s father who went home from Saudi Arabia after learning that his son is missing while swimming at Lake Balanan.

Geralde is a native of Barangay Junob in Dumaguete City and a graduating Political Science student of the FEU in Manila.

Geralde spent his vacation here during the Christmas break and opted to spend the New Year at Lake Balanan.

Tubongbanua related that last January 1, their family decided to spend the New Year at the famous lake. By Edmund B. Sestoso


Sun.Star Dumaguete



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Negros Chronicle
Jan 6 2008

Macias defends Balanan policies

Gov Emilio Macias has defended the policies of his pet project which is the Balanan Lake reforestation in the wake of the Jan 1 trajedy where a vacationist drowned while swimming in the scenic lake which is ironically is now drawing a number of tourists.
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Macias explained over DYEM's "Dumaguete Tonight" public affairs program,that swimming is prohibited in the 25-hectare lake.
The warning signs displayed before had disappeared for unknown reasons. The life guard is stationed at the swimming pool and not in the lake.
Two vacationists Ramstead Tunugbanua survived while another Jeril Geralde, 22, an FEU college student, drowned Jan 1 but whose body was recovered three days later by rescuers led by Boyet Somoza.
Life vests are provided to those who wish to go boating. Residents living in the lake area who are familiar with the lake are tolerated to dive for subsistence but at their own risk. Macias expressed condolence to the family of the victim whose father arrived Friday from Saudi Arabia where he works as OFW. That was also the day the body of Jeril was recovered floating, bloated and in the advanced state of decomposition.
The victims and their families were first timers in the lake. The duo swam but apparently developed cramps.
Several callers and t exters suggested that warning signs of no-swimming in the lake should be placed prominently especially for first timers.

 

Sad story but freedom has it's risks. Non-swimmers and poor swimmers need to be more careful and learn how to swim.
The answer is never to ban swimming for everybody.