Emmanuel Jaldon of the Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office said there were a total of 12,565 affected families with 39,582 dependents.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A day after heavy rains flooded villages and displaced some 12,000 families, the city council here enacted an ordinance declaring 15 areas under a state of calamity and granting the release of PHP 53.5 million calamity funds.
In a special session, January 21, the council placed the villages of Tigatto, Mandug, Waan and Lasang in District two; 19B,5A, 8A, 9, 10, 1A, 2A, 74A, 76A and Maa in District one; and Calinan in District three, under the state of calamity, saying these areas experienced widespread damage to livelihood, properties and agriculture after the water levels in the Lasang, Davao, Lipadas and Talomo rivers overflowed.
The session was held as response to an “extremely emergency situation,” said Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz.
A portion of the five percent calamity fund amounting to PHP 53,530,000 was allotted for the relief and rehabilitation, financial assistance and food packs, she said. The amount will be taken from the total available calamity fund of PHP 217,325,874.
“The City Disaster Risk Reduction Council requested an inter-office consolidated report regarding the flooding. Based on their reports and requests, we recommended the use of calamity funds and sent it for approval to the city council,” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte told davaotoday.com in a text.
As of 12 noon today, Emmanuel Jaldon of the Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office said there were a total of 12,565 affected families with 39,582 dependents.
Ma. Luisa Bermudo of the City Social Service and Development Office said that as of 7 PM of January 20, they recorded a total of 9,230 families in the 19 evacuation centers. She also said 97 houses were partially and totally damaged.
Meanwhile, City Veterinarian’s Office’s Doctor Cirilyn Pinili said that as of January 21, 12 noon, they noted PHP 654,900-worth of damage to livestock and poultry.
Valente Turtur, Officer-in-charge of the City Agriculturist Office said that according to their initial report, 100 farms were affected in the villages of Tigatto and Waan which covered 242 hectares.
Meanwhile in Davao del Norte, as of 5PM January 21, there were a total of 10,434 families with 58,126 dependents who evacuated.
In a text message to davaotoday.com, Romulo Tagalo, Information Officer of the Davao del Norte province said the Pagsabangan Bridge is already passable while the old Miranda bridge is still closed. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com
