MANAY, DAVAO ORIENTAL – One was confirmed dead and two are still missing in Barangay San Ignacio in Manay town due to a flashflood triggered by the heavy rains last night.
Based on the official report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), a 38-year-old woman died after the house where she was sleeping at was swept away by a flash flood at dawn.
Search and rescue teams are still looking for a 9-year-old girl and another 38-year-old woman who are still missing. Meanwhile, two residents who were wounded were immediately given proper medical aid.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who personally assessed the area this morning, committed that the Provincial Government will extend assistance to the family of the deceased and will fast track aid to those affected. The authorities also committed that they will not rest until the two missing persons have been found.
Troops from the Philippine Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion, led by its Commander Lt. Col. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, were immediately at the scene to help in the rescue operation and the clearing of the road where the damaged house was swept that caused heavy traffic in the Poblacion area of Barangay San Ignacio.
701st Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Sequitin, who inspected the area earlier, met with Manay Mayor Antero Dayanghirang and Davao Oriental Governor Dayanghirang. He ordered his troops to continue to assist the rescue and relief operations in the areas affected.
Residents in Barangay San Ignacio said that this was the first time that this has ever happened. Reports claimed that the drainage system may have been blocked by debris which may have caused the river to swell that triggered the flash flood.
This afternoon, Governor Dayanghirang ordered the conduct of an emergency meeting to assess the situation, discuss interventions, and to determine if there were any lapses. “We will find solutions to make sure this will not happen again,” said Governor Dayanghirang.
DAMAGES AND AFFECTED FAMILIES
Based on the initial report from the PDRRMC, around 13,429 in Manay town have been affected while 50 houses were reported to have been totally damaged.
In Caraga town, 567 families were reported to be affected. Three houses were reported to be totally damaged while another three were partially damaged. There were also reports of landslides in parts of Barangay Santiago and Sitio Papag in Barangay Poblacion.
In Baganga town, a total of 411 families have been affected by minor landslides. Meanwhile in Tarragona town, there were also reports of landslides. The PDRRMC said that Barangay Dadong is already on Alert Level 3. The road to Barangay Maganda is currently not passable due to the overflowing of a drainage system.
Meanwhile, although all main roads are already passable, teams from the Provincial Engineering Office and Department of Public are still clearing the roads from debris caused by landslides.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is set to deploy the 1,300 prepositioned food packs and supplies to the affected families today. Volunteers are also currently packing food packs at the Provincial Capitol to be later deployed in the affected areas to augment supply in the municipalities.
Governor Dayanghirang said that Davao Oriental is still under blue alert status which means the continuous monitoring of all concerned agencies. He committed that the province together with all partner agencies will pour out all their efforts to help all those who have been affected.
Key agencies and offices are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with their counterparts in the municipalities.
Meanwhile, the MDRRMC of the towns of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga already suspended the classes at all level. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
