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DND exec vows more support for flood-hit MisOcc, lauds responders

By Nef Luczon

December 28, 2022, 6:14 pm

<p><strong>SITUATION BRIEFING.</strong> Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal (right) briefs on Wednesday (Dec. 28, 2022) Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on the situation of the province after nine of the 14 municipalities were hit by flood and landslides on Dec. 24, 2022. Faustino lauded the provincial government’s quick response to the affected communities. <em>(Photo courtesy of MisOcc Information Office)</em></p>

SITUATION BRIEFING. Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal (right) briefs on Wednesday (Dec. 28, 2022) Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on the situation of the province after nine of the 14 municipalities were hit by flood and landslides on Dec. 24, 2022. Faustino lauded the provincial government’s quick response to the affected communities. (Photo courtesy of MisOcc Information Office)

JIMENEZ, Misamis Occidental – The Department of National Defense (DND) has recognized Misamis Oriental responders for their prompt disaster response to the nine local government units (LGUs) affected by flash floods.

During his visit to the provincial capitol Wednesday, DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino lauded the provincial government’s quick action to address the calamity.

"Your actions are good, Gov. Henry S. Oaminal, as the chairman of the provincial disaster risk reduction management council, because you reacted to the warning even though it was a little late. Somehow you were able to conduct preemptive evacuation in some parts except for Oroquieta City because it was hard to predict the rainfall," Faustino said.

Faustino also acknowledged the immediate distribution of relief goods and following the disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) protocols.

Nine of the 14 municipalities of the province were affected by floods and landslides on Dec. 24 due to rains brought by the shear line.

Oaminal, for his part, raised to Faustino and Office of the Civil Defense chief Raymundo Ferrer the province's immediate needs and concerns, such as the power connection and connectivity and basic commodities.

Faustino said other government agencies will be convened to help the province recover from the massive flooding.

He said survivors whose houses were destroyed will be reassessed if they need to be relocated to new locations.

Those with partially damaged houses will be provided with assistance from infrastructure, agriculture, to social needs, the governor added.

Update on calamity figures

Meanwhile, the provincial DRRM office said it has continued with its weather monitoring as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has raised the rainfall warning as part of a low pressure area in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

Based on Northern Mindanao Region’s DRRM Council (RDRRMC-10) report Wednesday, Misamis Occidental province has evacuated 2,268 families or 9,009 individuals to temporary shelters.

The RDRRMC-10 also reported 17 deaths from the province, out of the total of 20 fatalities in the region.

Meanwhile, the provincial board released a resolution Wednesday declaring the whole province under a state of calamity.

The province's initial damages to infrastructure and agriculture were estimated at PHP29.8 million.

Responding to help Misamis Occidental, the Cagayan de Oro City government also turned over Tuesday evening its relief support packs to the provincial government.

Nick Jabagat, head of the City DRRM Office (CDRRMO), said it turned over more than 350 food and non-food packs items to provincial officials.

He added that 15 CDRRMO personnel will remain in the province for about two weeks to help with the ongoing relief and monitoring tasks. (PNA)

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