gemdisco Cotabato town under state of calamity due to floods, slides
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KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO — The local government of Magpet town in Cotabato province has declared a state of calamity due to flash floods and landslides brought by moderate to heavy rains affecting at least 123 families, particularly in Barangay Bantac, a local official said on Tuesday.
Mayor Laurence Jay Gonzaga said the declaration would allow the local government to use the town’s disaster risk response funds for immediate assistance to the affected families and rehabilitation of roads affected by the landslides.
Article continues after this advertisementGonzaga said the affected families are now temporarily staying at the evacuation center in Barangay Poblacion, while there are displaced families that occupied the Camacop church as temporary shelter.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Class suspensions on Oct. 22 due to tropical storm Kristine NEWSINFO Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas NEWSINFO AFP reprimands cadet who asked for Marcos wrist watch“We already responded to the immediate needs of the evacuees by providing them food and other necessities while they are staying at the temporary shelters,” Gonzaga added.
Gonzaga said that reports from the town’s disaster response office show that at least 20 houses made from light materials were washed out by flood waters when the Bantac River overflowed.
Article continues after this advertisementFarm animals drowned, and rubber and banana plantations were devastated because of landslides, particularly in Barangay Mahongcog.
Article continues after this advertisementGonzaga said landslides were reported in Balite, Amabel, Basac, Doles, and Manobisa.
Article continues after this advertisement“We have already sent our heavy equipment in these areas to clear the affected roads,” Gonzaga said.
The mayor also confirmed that a child was rescued by his father when their house was wiped out by the land mass in Mahongcog.
Article continues after this advertisementA 30-meter stretch of the main dike of the Bantac River was damaged because of the huge trees swept by flood waters. This gave way for the waters to inundate the nearby houses.
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