NDRRMC: 16 reported dead due to Mindanao floods, landslides

The reported number of people killed due to the heavy rains which caused flooding and landslides in Mindanao increased to 16, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

The NDRRMC’s latest situational report showed that all the 16 reported fatalities—which were still subject to validation—came from the Davao Region.

Three individuals also remained missing, while 11 were injured.

A total of 772,276 people or 204,840 families in 508 barangays in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and BARMM were affected by the rains brought by the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and the trough of a now dissipated low-pressure area.

Of this number, 91,079 individuals, or 24,212 families, transferred to 341 evacuation centers; while 318,365 individuals, or 94,595 families, had sought temporary shelter elsewhere.

There were 97 roads and 14 bridges in the Davao and Caraga Regions that were still impassable.

The NDRRMC also reported P2,610,000 worth of damage to 26 structures in these two regions.

Forty-seven houses were also totally damaged, and 44 were partially damaged.

Among the damaged infrastructure was the Bukod Tanging Footbridge connecting Sitio Tuguano and the nearby sitio close to Poblacion.

“Hopefully, we can source out funds for this. Hindi na footbridge kundi (but instead a) concrete bridge ang maitatayo rito (will be erected here). Ang kaya lang talaga ng LGU is footbridge (The LGU is only able to build a footbridge),” Davao del Norte Mayor Maria Theresa Timbol said in GMA Regional TV One Mindanao Jandi Esteban's report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

So far, 36 rain-induced landslides and 134 flooding incidents have been reported following the heavy rains, with 113 classes and 34 work schedules suspended.

The NDRRMC said P10,912,767 worth of assistance had been distributed to affected residents. The aid consisted of family food packs, modular tents, and other sleeping kits.

For his part, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib said the local government was providing assistance to the residents.

“Since this morning, more or less 20,000 families have been assisted. For every LGU, we are organizing groups to help,” he said in the local language on “24 Oras Weekend.” — DVM, GMA Integrated News