DAVAO ORIENTAL – Around 920 families in the towns of San Isidro and Cateel and the City of Mati have fled their homes after the heavy rains overnight caused by Tropical Depression “Chedeng”.
Based on the monitoring by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), these families consisting of 3,654 individuals who reside near riverbanks and other flood prone areas are currently housed at their respective barangay centers. The evacuees are now receiving proper interventions and are awaiting clearance for them to return home.
“The Local Government Units who have facilitated the evacuation said that the evacuation was implemented smoothly as the residents willingly cooperated with the authorities,” said PDRRMO Assistant Department Head Francis Jason Bendulo.
The Department of Public Works and Highways also confirmed this morning that the Nasipit Bridge, Barangay Central in the Municipality of Tarragona is currently not passable to all types of vehicles until further notice due to scouring, making the bridge unstable and unsafe.
As the heavy rains have ceased since this morning, the province now under Yellow Rainfall Alert as the province still experiences light to moderate rain showers. Authorities are also constantly monitoring the swelling Rivers of Tagubpo, Sumlog, and Cuabo in Lupon town.
Some areas in the municipalities of Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona have also experienced power outages at around 4 o’clock this morning. The local power service provider DORECO is currently facilitating repairs and maintenance to restore the power.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who chairs the PDRRMC, has issued the suspension of classes in all levels in all public and private schools. Work in government offices in the province is also suspended today.
He also ordered all members of the Council to constantly monitor all coastal communities, riverbanks, and all landslide prone areas identified in the province.
The province is still under Blue Alert status requiring heightened monitoring of all concerned agencies.
Rescue volunteers, military and police troops are currently on standby for quick response in case of emergency. Heavy equipment from the Provincial Engineer’s Office and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and food supplies are already prepositioned.
A monitoring team was also deployed at the Aragon Dam in Cateel town to monitor the water level. As of 9:10 this morning, water level is at 19.4 meters which is still at alert level.
The PDRRMO and its local counterparts and all partner agencies are in constant communication to ensure that preparations and response are well-coordinated. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
