DAVAO ORIENTAL – The provincial government recently sent medical and disaster response teams to cater to the needs of the people devastated by the recent Low-Pressure Area in the municipality of Cateel which was badly hit by heavy torrential flooding and floods earlier this month.
No fewer than 340 residents from the barangays hit by a flood that swept through the municipality benefited from the medical outreach program initiated by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) led by Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo last April 13, 2022.
The teams were deployed to reach the most flood-stricken communities namely, Malibago Proper, San Vicente, Alegria, San Miguel, Taytayan, San Alfonso, Aliwagwag and Maglahus. The medical outreach program was materialized through the partnership between the PHO, Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital (DOPH-Cateel), Rural Health Unit (RHU-Cateel) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
Severe flooding and mudslides in early April displaced hundreds of residents of Cateel. In addition to the medical care operations, the teams also conducted damage assessment, logistical transportation of relief supplies and other support.
As committed by the Department of Public Works and Highways, water supply in Barangay Maglahus has been restored as workers worked on the hanging bridge and connected the pipelines.
Veterinary extension services were also provided to livestocks as part of the disaster response.
On the other hand, the Provincial Agriculture Office conducted a site validation and assessment of the agricultural commodities damaged. The PAGRO provided 250 packs of vegetable seeds to be distributed to the local farmers.
Based on the assessment, 234 hectares of rice farms and 79.1 hectares of Banana (Lakatan) plantations were heavily damaged with an estimated market value of P14.6 million for rice and P23.9 million for bananas.
As floodwater receded and the damage was assessed, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental headed by Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang urged the communities to avail themselves of the opportunity to benefit from the laudable effort and reaffirmed that the government would continue to do everything possible to provide quality health services to the communities hit by the disaster brought about by the Low-Pressure Area (LPA). By Rezmarquel Pann | Contributed Photos
