At least 800 houses in three barangays in Alabel, Sarangani were affected by flooding evening on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

The barangays affected are Maribulan, Kawas, and Pag-asa.

Some residents were reported hurt during the flood and were given medical attention.

“Siguro, dili kuno ni muubus sa 800 ka households, balay lang sa atung kwintada. Wala pa kabalo,  basig sa isa ka balay dunay upat ka pamilya nagapuyo. Diri mi gahapon nag-rescue, naay mga nasamdan,” Mayor Vic Paul Salarda, said.

Some families affected are staying at the evacuation center temporarily and were given immediate assistance.

The massive flooding occured reportedly because the protection dike was damaged following heavy rains, which caused floodwaters to overflow.

“Naa may protection dike dinhi gihimo, wasak gyud, I hope nga sa part sa DPWH, mahimo nila tanang lig on nga trabaho ba, butangan nila og lawom, kanang steel. Steel matting sa nila ba, and then itaas gyud nila ang protection dike,” Salarda added.

Floodwaters on the highway rose and flowed to several houses, prompting authorities to conduct rescue operations.

Several houses were also damaged because of the flood.

“Dili gyud maayo, grabe daghang nagaguba nga mga balay unya pwerteng lapuka sa amoa balay,” Jonel Akmad, one of the residents affected, said.

“Ratol kaayo ba ang nahitabo, wala namo nakuha ang mga gamit namo… maskin isa sa mga gamit wala... ang mga kahoy, nahapak gikan didto paingon diri sa amua. Walay miy mapuy-an, (panawagan) tabangan mi makausab og balay nga naa  miy kapuy-an siyempre kaonun namo karon, unsaon naman, mga kaldero namo tanan, nahurot,” another resident affected, Nurhaya Adam, said.

Some animals like carabaos and goats also died during the flood.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is still assessing the extent of damage and the number of families affected.