3,500 in evacuation centers after Crising

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – One person was killed while more than 80,000 residents were affected as tropical depression “Crising” caused flooding and landslides in Mindanao.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 17, 374 families or 87,139 residents in 57 barangay in Region 10 and 11 were affected by the recent weather disturbance.

At least 735 families or 3,568 persons are presently taking shelter in more than 7 designated evacuation centers.

The lone fatality was identified as Francisco Digaynon who drowned while trying to cross the Taytayan River in Barangay Andap, New Bataan in Compostela Valley.

New Bataan was one of the towns badly hit by Typhoon Pablo last December.

Meanwhile, 4 members of the Nacua family in Barangay Malasalug, Sapad, Lanao del Norte were hurt when a landslide buried their home.

A flashflood was also reported in Tarragona town in Davao Oriental on Tuesday morning, February 19, where a footbridge was damaged.

The NDRRMC said a flashflood affecting 5 villages in Datu Montawal town in Maguindanao was reported on Wednesday morning.

In CARAGA, the villages of Siagao, Patong, San Roque, Poblacion and Baras of San Miguel town are still in meter-deep floodwater. The villages of Anahao Daan, Anahao Bag-o, Bangusad, Layog and Caras-an in the town of Tago were also flooded, the NDRRMC said.

Initial reports said that at least two houses were totally damaged while 85 were partially damaged in Regions 10 and 11.

In response to the disaster, the Department of Social Welfare and Development prepositioned P15,528,181.68 worth of standby funds and P24,121,258 worth of relief supplies in areas along the path of “Crising.”

The relief goods consist of food and non-food items including mats, tents and used clothing. “The above prepositioning of goods and services is in keeping with DSWD’s mandate of ensuring the well-being of Filipinos, through the efficient delivery of much-needed goods and social services, especially in times of great need. Rest assured that DSWD and the rest of the national government will continue to meet the demands of disaster risk-reduction standards,” the DSWD said. – Rappler.com