By Rutchie C. Aguhob
BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) here, has passed a resolution recommending to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), the declaration of a state of calamity in areas greatly affected by the recent floods.
The floods was due to the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Ofel, last October 24-25, causing the Usogan River to overflow and submerged the rice fields of at least seven barangays, namely: Lilo-an, Lower Usogan, Linconan, Tiaman, Bolinsong, D. Fernan and Digson.
In his report to Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, Chairperson of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) through Gain Paul de Barras, PDRRMC Officer, Mayor Samson R. Dumanjug said damage to government projects and properties due to the floods was estimated at P21.4 million.
But even though no casualties and injuries were reported, about 704 families with 3,520 members were affected by floods, of which 136 families with 562 members were temporarily housed in evacuation centers, Dumanjug said.
Meanwhile, Dumanjug, who is also the Chairperson of the MDRRMC, said the lack of pump boats and rubber boats hampered the immediate response in rescue operations during the flooding incident.
It was also observed that during the conduct of these operations, some residents were adamant to evacuate and leave their houses because they were afraid of losing their properties, livestock, and other valuable things, which they would leave behind.
Helping out in the rescue operations were members of the Misamis Occidental Search and Rescue Tem (MOSART), Ozamiz City Search and Rescue Team (OCSART), Philippine National Police (PNP), medical teams and social workers of the municipality who were dispatched immediately to the evacuation centers for the needed relief items of the victims.
On the other hand, Dumanjug has recommended that the necessary equipment and tools for this type of hazard must be procured immediately, because flood will likely occur anytime.
This is because all water from the neighboring province of Zamboanga del Sur will be drained out to the Usogan River, which traverses the municipality of Bonifacio, passing though these affected barangays before it discharges to Panguil Bay, Dumajug added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)
