DAVAO ORIENTAL – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has ordered pre-emptive evacuations in seven barangays in the municipality of Cateel amid the continuous downpour resulting from the tail-end of a cold front.
Philippine Army 701st Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Sequitin said that troops from the 67th Infantry Battalion led the evacuation of a total of 112 families. These evacuees include 24 families in Barangay Abejod; 5 families in Santa Felomina; 47 in Barangay San Miguel; 16 in San Vicente; 4 in San Alfonso; 11 in San Rafael; and 5 in Barangay Alegria. The said families are now evacuated to safer grounds, mostly in the nearby government schools and centers.
The said barangays are located near the massive Aragon Dam which may overflow if heavy rains would not subside. Teams from the MDRRMO have been closely monitor the water level at the dam. As of 12:28 in the morning today, January 27, the water level is at 19.6 meters which is still at the alert level. According to the PDRRMC, if water level reaches 21 meters, all high-risk communities will be evacuated. All vehicles in the area –government and private were also enjoined to help during the possible evacuation of residents.
All vehicles in the area –government and private were also enjoined to help during the possible evacuation of residents.
Emergency Operation Center Manager and PDRRMO Assistant Head Francis Jason Bendulo said that the PDRRMC, headed by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, ordered all members of the council to exhaust all efforts to ensure the safety of the people.
Governor Dayanghirang ordered the deployment of all heavy equipment prepositioned in all LGUs to Cateel town to aid the clearing and evacuation in areas affected. Some 1,000 food packs have also been sent to these areas.
At 7:30 in the evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has issued an Orange Rainfall Warning in the areas of Boston, Cateel, and Baganga. This emergency alert means “flooding is threatening in low lying areas and along river channels and landslides in mountainous areas.”
All members of the PDRRMC and their counterparts at the municipal level are continuously monitoring the situation on the ground.
