DAVAO ORIENTAL – The province of Davao Oriental has just been placed under a State of Calamity due to the severe damages caused by weeks of intermittent rain brought by Tropical Depression “Amang” and the tail-end of a cold front.
Davao Oriental made the declaration after its Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution no. 18-2019 during its regular session today, February 6, 2019.
With the declaration, the province can now gain quick access to recovery funds for the provision of aid to affected families through the 5 percent calamity fund for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, among others.
PDRRMC Chairman Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said that interventions must be fast tracked to help the flood and landslide-stricken towns.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) submitted a Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Report which revealed extensive destruction to lives, properties, livestock, and infrastructures.
Based on the data submitted by the PDRRMC, a total of 66,733 families in 84 barangays have been affected.
As per report, the initial total estimated cost of damages to infrastructures, agriculture and fisheries, have reached a whopping total of P102.5 million. Also, among the damaged are 199 houses that were partially destroyed while 64 houses were totally damaged.
Casualties include the death of two persons in Manay town who drowned when flash floods surged into their homes while they were asleep. There were also two persons injured and one still missing.
Hard-hit municipalities that have already declared a State of Calamity in their respective LGUs are those situated in the province first district, namely: Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel, and Boston.
Photos by Rejee-Lou Fiel Mejia
