FLOODED. Two cows try to cross a flooded grassland searching for food in Barangay Poblacion in Pikit, North Cotabato where 31 villages have been submerged by floods since Friday (Sept. 10, 2021). The local government is still assessing the total damage wrought by floods to crops and properties. (Photo courtesy of Pikit MDRRMO)
PIKIT, North Cotabato – Relief workers here have hastened the distribution of relief goods to families affected by floods due to torrential rains brought about by the southwest monsoon in Mindanao.
Tahira Kalantongan, municipal disaster management officer, said Monday over 21,000 individuals have been displaced by floods that have submerged 31 of 42 barangays since last Friday.
“Generally, water has receded but there are villages that are still underwater,” Kalantongan said in an interview with reporters here.
She said not all affected families reported to their office have evacuated.
“Some stayed at home and waited for the water to lessen while others moved temporarily to houses of neighbors or relatives nearby,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sumulong Sultan said rescue workers are on standby round-the-clock to respond to emergencies.
“Our rescue workers are working on shifts to monitor the situation of every barangay,” he said in a separate interview.
Sultan said the affected families were also given livelihood assistance like agricultural inputs so they could restart farming when the water totally receded.
He added the municipal agriculture office is still assessing the impact of the floods on farmers and the cost of damages they incurred during the calamity. (PNA)
