BDAVAO ORIENTAL—The communities in the Municipality of Tarragona, whose livelihood were washed away by the flash floods brought by Tropical Depression “Amang” and the tail-end of a cold front, have received assistance from the provincial government during a series of relief operations on Tuesday.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, PDRRMC Chairman, led the relief operations in the four slightly-affected areas namely: Barangay Tomoaong, Central, Cabagayan, and Jovellar.

All 3,160 families received food packs through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).

Also, the Provincial Government extended immediate assistance to 61 families whose houses have been partially wrecked by the flood. Each family received a check amounting P5,000.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said in his speech that the province will also provide assistance to the rest of the affected families in other parts of the province.

“The entire Provincial Government workforce, including the different agencies and other volunteers, continue to pack relief goods to be distributed in other affected areas. This is just a small help but it means that the government is there to help the people every now and then,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, Governor Dayanghirang urged residents living near creeks and other waterways to vacate their residence for fear of landslide.

“There has been landslide near the creeks, causing the uprooted trees to block the waterways that resulted to flashflood. That’s why I am urging the residents who live near creeks and waterways to build their houses in safer place to avoid loss of lives and damages to property should this kind of calamity happens again,” he said.

He furthered that the provincial government will continue to expedite response through the 5 percent calamity funds following the declaration of Davao Oriental under the State of Calamity on Wednesday.

“The declaration will help us fast-track the delivery of relief and rehabilitation of damaged properties,” Governor Dayanghirang said.