Butuan under state of calamity

BUTUAN CITY – This city has been declared under a state of calamity by the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) who passed a resolution late Tuesday in reaction to massive flooding triggered by continuous rains.

The city’s 41 evacuation centers are now housing 27,241 people, classes in all levels remain suspended, and authorities have reported severe damage to agricultural crops and infrastructure.

The resolution was passed by the legislative body led by Vice Mayor Jose Aquino II during an emergency session upon the recommendation of the disaster risk reduction and management council.

The massive floods came due to continuous rains from a low pressure area last Jan. 17, and the tail-end of a cold front affecting the Caraga region.

Yesterday, 5,536 families or 27,246 individuals, are still in 41 evacuation centers around the city, the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 13), said.

In Caraga Region

Around the Caraga region, the DSWD reported that its Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) said the weather disturbances have so far affected a total of 55,824 families or 214,433 persons in 182 barangays.

Some 212 evacuation centers remain open in Caraga, sheltering 12,643 families or 61,364 individuals. Most of these are located in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur provinces.

In Butuan

At least 31 barangays in Butuan City are affected by flood, particularly those along Agusan river banks and flood ways.

The 31 inundated barangays are Agao, Agusan Pequeno, Amparo, Aupagan, Baan Km. 3, Baan Riverside, Bading, Banza, Baobaon, Bobon, Bilay, Buhangin, Dankias, Florida, Golden Ribbon, Humabon, Limaha, Mahay, Mahogany, Mandamo, Maug, Maguinda, Maon, Obrero, Pangabugan, Port Poyohon, San Ignacio, San Vicente, Sto. Nino, Tagabaca, and Tungao.

Regional Director Mita Chuci G. Lim of the DSWD 13 said the agency has extended 1484,380 worth of food assistance to the city government of Butuan for the evacuees.