DAVAO ORIENTAL – As the province experience continuous light to heavy downpour caused by the trough of Low-Pressure Area (LPA), Governor Nelson Dayanghirang ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to closely monitor areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
PDRRMO Assistant Department Head and Operation Center Manager Francis Jason Bendulo said that they have been monitoring the situation in the municipalities and coordinating with all local government units of the province.
The province also deployed heavy equipment to clear some areas in the municipality of Boston affected by landslides. “Although the effects are very minimal, we need to ensure safety of the travelers so we coordinated with engineering teams from the Provincial Engineering Office and he Department of Public Works and Highways to clear the areas affected by landslides,” he said.
A team from the DPWH has cleared areas affected in Barangay Sibajay while the Provincial Engineering Office was tasked to clear areas in Barangay Poblacion, both in Boston town. “We also coordinated with private contractors to help in the clearing,” he added.
Governor Dayanghirang also ordered to closely monitor the water level of the Aragon Dam in the municipality of Cateel. As of 3:41 this afternoon, the water level of the dam is at 19.2 meters, which according to the PEO is already at the “alert level”. Should the water level reach 21 meters, the PDRRMC will advise for an evacuation.
Philippine Army 701st Brigade Commander Col. Manuel Sequitin ordered troops to help respond in any rain-induced incidents. Military and police troops are also helping monitor areas susceptible to flooding and landslides.
Based from the advisory from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Province of Davao Oriental is in an Orange Rainfall Advisory which means flooding is threatening in low-lying areas and near river channels and landslides in mountainous areas.
Governor Dayanghirang advised everyone to be vigilant and regularly monitor situations in the respective area. Everyone is advised to coordinate with the authorities should there be guidance for evacuation. Photos Courtesy of Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang and PDRRMC Operations Center
