Evacuating to higher ground along the national highway in Pagalungan, Maguindanao Friday afternoon, 20 January 2017.
Displaced families in this flood-prone area, numbering about 6,000 are seeking refuge on the roadside with their valuables.
Residents beside the Malitubog and Maridagao rivers were also alerted for possible evacuation as floodwaters continue to rise.
The affected residents blame the alleged abrupt release of water from a dam in Pulangi claiming that residents downstream were not informed.
In Pikit North, Cotabato, eight barangays were also inundated by floodwaters.
Tahira Kalantungan, head of the Municial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they initiated forced evacuation for 52 families as the river started to overflow.
Rescue equipment and rescuers were on standby for immediate response.
No casualty has been reported. A number of male residents refused to leave their homes despite the flood, s saying they are securing their properties. Others said they are used to the floods and know when to evacuate. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)
