DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/19 January)—The municipal council of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur today declared its flood-stricken barangay Darong under a state of calamity to expedite the release of P2.38 million in calamity fund for the 4,060 people affected.
Santa Cruz municipal councilor Lolita Legaspi said the council passed the resolution noontime today.
Floodwaters caused the Sibulan River to overflow Monday night killing three persons and rendering 812 families homeless, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Marito Cadorna, earlier reported missing, was confirmed drowned Wednesday in last Monday’s flooding that also totally destroyed 42 houses and partly damaged 91 others.
OCD has yet to assess the total cost of the damage to properties.
Reported injured were Jonathan Paklipan and Emma Bonaoy.
Fe Austria Kalimpo, provincial civil defense officer for Compostela Valley, said that of the 466 affected families in barangays Darong and Astorga, 138 families (690 persons) were housed at the Almendras Elementary School; 35 families (175 persons) in barangay kagawad Rolona’s home in Looban, Purok Mangga; 120 families (600 persons) in Sirawan gym, 28 families (140 persons) in Inayawan gym; 96 families (480 persons) in Darong gym; 26 families (130 persons) in Darong barangay hall; and 23 families (115 persons) in a madrasah.
She however, said that with the continuing rains, it might take longer before the affected families, especially those whose houses were destroyed, can go back to their places.
Of the reported 812 displaced families, 346 sought refuge in the houses of friends and relatives, while the rest went to the evacuation sites.
Kalimpo said local government units and private companies have been giving relief assistance to the evacuees. She also said a community kitchen has been put up in Darong for them.
She added the roads in Santa Cruz are already passable, electricity has been restored and the flow of traffic along the Davao-Cotabato highway has gone back to normal.
In Davao City, flooding also occurred in Bunawan, Toril and Calinan areas. A downpour caused the Talomo River to overflow bringing flashfloods to barangay Marapangi and Lizada, which affected 15 families. No casualties were reported however.
Kalimpo said OCD will continue to monitor and issue warnings to vulnerable communities. (Germelina Lacorte/MindaNews)
