Residents of flood-hit villages in Agusan del Sur seek assistance

The local government and residents in several towns in Agusan del Sur are asking for aid following the damage brought about by heavy flooding and destroyed crops and properties.

In a report by GMA News' Tricia Zafra on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Tuesday, the local government admitted that assistance from the provincial and national government is needed as the calamity fund is not enough, especially if floodwaters would not subside in the following days.

Elvie Omuyot, one of the victims, said they have yet to receive assistance.

"Hindi kami nabigyan ng relief kahapon. Sana mabigyan kami," she said.

George Junatas, resident of Trento town in Agusan del Sur, told GMA News that he planted the rice seedlings on 1.5 hectares of land were destroyed by floodwaters.

"Maghanap muna ng pera. Pag may pera magtanim, pag walang pera eh di mangutang. Pag may uutangan, mangutang," Junatas said.

According to initial reports, 8 towns in Agusan del Sur are placed under state of calamity. These are the towns of Trento, Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, Loreto, San Luis, Talacogon and Veruela.

Floodwaters in some areas rose up to six feet  or 1.8 meters.

The local government of Agusan del Sur has planned to pass a resolution that will declare the whole province under state of calamity.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that 30,000 people have already been affected by floodwaters, while 3,000 families were displaced after their homes were destroyed.

The damage to crops from 25 barangays in Esperanza has already been estimated to cost almost P5 million.

In Davao del Norte, there are 14 barangays in the town of Kapalong that were placed under state of calamity because of heavy flooding. The town center has been rendered impassable to vehicles while classes were already suspended. — Anna Felicia J. Bajo/BAP, GMA News