AT least 20 people have died due to the effects of the northeast monsoon and trough of a low pressure area that have brought heavy rains to the Davao region since January 28.
Thirteen of the fatalities were recorded in Davao de Oro, according to the Davao de Oro provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO). Two are missing and nine were injured, it said.
The Davao de Oro PDRRMO also said 43,140 families or 156,796 individuals were affected in 150 barangays in 11 municipalities, of which 36,474 families (130,156 individuals) are displaced
Cost of damage to infrastructure and agriculture was placed at P84.64 million and P110.35 million, respectively.
Cost of damage to houses was placed at P780,000.
Glenda Delideli, chief of the Davao del Norte PDRRMO, said seven people died in the province — five in Kapalong town, and one each in Santo Tomas town and Asuncion town.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 16 deaths — 10 in Davao de Oro and six in Davao del Norte. It said these deaths are subject to validation.
The NDRRMC said three are missing and 11 were injured.
It said 214,132 families or 812,638 individuals were affected in 564 barangays in Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Of the number, 115,471 families or 398,158 individuals are displaced as of yesterday.
The NDRRMC placed the cost of damage to infrastructure at P2.5 million in Caraga alone.
It reported damage to agriculture damage in BARRM but did not give an estimate on the cost of damage.
AID
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said over a million
people from 636 barangays in the Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions have been affected by the shear line and trough of low pressure area, including the 410,0771 individuals who have been displaced, due to the torrential rains and flooding incidents.
Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and co-spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said more than P26.948 million worth of family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFIs) have been distributed to 1.098 million people (309,090 families) who have been affected in the three regions.
Dumlao said 410,771 persons (108,518 families) have also been displaced in Regions XI (Davao) and XIII (Caraga) including the 82,810 individuals (21,757 families) who are now staying in 328 evacuation centers and 327, 961 persons (86,518 families) who are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
A total of 778 houses were damaged due to the continued rain and flooding.
Dumlao said DSWD, through its field offices, has been in constant coordination with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the needs of the affected population are immediately addressed.
She said the department is also coordinating with the Philippine Navy and Air Force to reach remote areas and those isolated by the rains and flooding.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesman Romel Lopez said over than 41,100 FFPs were distributed to the families affected in the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Agusan del Sur, and Davao City. Sleeping kits and modular tents were provided to affected families in Compostela town in Davao de Oro.
Lopez said Social Welfare Secretary Gatchalian visited Davao Oriental last Saturday and met with officials of Governor Genoroso, Manay, and Caraga towns to see what needs to be done in terms of helping the flood-affected residents.
He said Gatchalian also assured those affected that the DSWD would facilitate the release of financial assistance to cover their other needs. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
