PBBM orders rehab of flood control infra in N. Mindanao
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered for the immediate rehabilitation of flood-control infrastructures and resettlement of flood victims in some areas in Northern Mindanao that were devastated by the shear line rain and flooding last month.
Marcos issued the statement during a situation briefing on Wednesday after visiting areas in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which suffered intense rains and flooding brought about by the shear line in December.
The shear line is formed when the cold air of the northeast monsoon converges with the warmth of the easterlies and generates thick clouds, which results in heavy rains.
The President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to focus on fixing the damaged spillways, dikes, and seawall in the affected areas upon the recommendation of concerned local government units (LGU).
For Misamis Occidental, he proposed getting assistance from Japan on how to solve the f looding problem in the said province.
DPWH was also instructed to repair damaged roads, bridges and school buildings.
“[The Department of] Public Works will do the assessment first on what [repairs] they have to do. How much was the damage? And then we’ll see how we will correct the damage and we can already do it,” Marcos said in mixed Filipino and English in the situation briefing in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
The Chief Executive noted that high floodwaters in some of the affected areas could hamper the said rehabilitation efforts.
Evacuees’ aid
MEANWHILE, he directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to help homeless evacuees.
“Those whose home were totally destroyed, we will look for a resettlement area so you will have new homes,” said Marcos when he led the distribution of government assistance in the Municipality of Tudela in Misamis Occidental.
He also ordered continued aid for the evacuees in the affected areas.
“That is why we assure everyone, who has yet to be able to go back to their homes and are still in evacuation centers, will be given support and be cared for. You will have food and a place to rest,” Marcos said.
Marcos led in the distribution of P16 million worth of aid in Misamis Occidental.
Based on government data, the shear line affected over 16,000 people in Misamis Occidental and over 18,000 others in Misamis Oriental.
The government already released P55.81 million worth of financial assistance from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations to 11,133 beneficiaries in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.
Rains wreak havoc in Vismin anew
IN a related development, the town of Tubod in Lanao del Norte has declared a state of calamity due to the effects of incessant rains that was also felt in other parts of the country because of the combined shear line and low pressure areas.
At least 10 people have been killed while four others were injured as a result of the torrential rains that have spawned flooding in some areas, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao because of the low pressure areas that affected the country since January 2.
On Wednesday, newly installed Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairman Carlito Galvez Jr. accompanied President Marcos in distributing relief assistance to affected residents in Misamis Occidental.
Reports from regional disaster offices indicated that several areas in Northern and Eastern Samar were also flooded, closing a number of roads and bridges from motorists.
The NDRRMC said that the low pressure areas affected Region 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao since January 2. As a result, at least 69, 308 families or 291,826 individuals were affected. At least 784 families of 3,224 persons were also displaced.
The NDRRMC said that flooding has already damaged at least P153,066,260 worth of government projects and P111, 738,324.31 worth of crops. At least 487 houses had also been damaged.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said that the shear line, which has been affecting various parts of the country since last month and has triggered flooding and landslides has also killed at least 52 people and injured 18 others. Another 18 people remained missing.
At least 185, 826 families or 743,956 individuals have so far been affected and about 3,617 families or 11, 853 people displaced.
The damage has been pegged at P273,030,000 in infrastructure and P425,326,730.45 in agriculture. At least 5,408 houses were likewise damaged.