Death toll in Davao de Oro landslide now 15

More bodies were recovered in the landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro on Friday morning, bringing the number of fatalities to 15, the municipal government said.

In an update as of 12 noon, the Maco government said that 110 people remain missing while 31 injured individuals have been rescued.

“Based on the initial report (names for validation), we have already recorded that fifteen (15) bodies were recovered from the landslide and thirty one (31) injured people were rescued,” it said.

“We have a total of 110 reported alleged missing individuals from our residents and companies,” it added, noting that this figure is also undergoing validation.

Earlier in the morning, a little girl was rescued alive from the rubble two days after the landslide. The provincial government said the child received medical attention and is in stable condition.

“A miraculous little girl survived the landslide that hit Zone 1, Barangay Masara, Maco. This girl was rescued this morning during an ongoing search, rescue, and retrieval operation by our responders,” it said.

“So far, this child’s condition is confirmed to be stable after receiving proper medical attention by doctors and nurses at the hospital,” it added.

As of Friday morning, 1,195,672 people were affected by the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan and the trough of a low pressure area (LPA), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in a report.

The affected regions were Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Bangsamoro.

Of the affected population, 49,004 people or 13,241 families were staying in 188 evacuation centers while 303,060 people or 99,611 families were staying in other places.

In Maco town, a total of 5,227 people or 1,250 families in four barangays have evacuated due to the landslide, according the Office of the Civil Defense.

Some of the evacuees in Maco are gradually returning to their homes.

Damage to infrastructure worth P123,547,000 was reported, according to the NDRRMC. A total of 1,253 houses were also damaged — 510 totally and 743 partially.

Assistance worth P146,666,618 has been provided to the victims, the NDRRMC said.

A state of calamity was declared in the entire province of Agusan del Sur and in Lingig town in Surigao del Sur.

"On 28 January 2024, the Northeast Monsoon and the Trough of the LPA ffected Mindanao," the NDRRMC said.

"The trough of the LPA continued to bring light to heavy rains until 03 February 2024. This resulted in flooding and landslide incidents in some areas in Mindanao. On 03 February 2024, 11:00 AM, the LPA has dissipated," it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News