ASSESSMENT. Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. (right) inspects the areas hit by landslides in Dinagat Islands on Tuesday (Dec. 27, 2022). The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region said a total of 53,456 families or 196,273 individuals were directly affected by floods and landslides in the area caused by heavy downpours. (Photo courtesy of PIO Dinagat Islands)
BUTUAN CITY – Floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains since the eve of Christmas last week brought about by the shear line displaced some 53,456 families or 196,273 individuals in the Caraga Region.
Based on its report, Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said Wednesday at least 1,016 families or 4,564 individuals were directly affected by the shear line in Agusan del Norte, and 35,054 families or 131,258 individuals in Surigao del Norte.
Some 17,043 families were also affected by the weather disturbance in the last four days in Surigao del Sur and 343 families in Dinagat Islands.
Aside from severe flooding, landslides were also reported in Barangay Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Norte and in Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Eight landslides were also reported in Dinagat Islands, including four in the town of San Jose, and one each in the municipalities of Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat and Loreto.
Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. inspected the areas hit by landslides on Tuesday afternoon to oversee the clearing operations.
As of Wednesday morning, all roads blocked by the landslides in Dinagat have been partially cleared and were passable to motorists.
PDRRMC assessment
Demerey, in a statement, said he immediately convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to assess the overall situation of the province due to the shear line.
“We discussed ways to completely clear the areas hit by landslides and reviewed the safety measure in areas prone to floods and landslides,” he said.
The PDRRMC and the MDRRMCs also presented the general situation in the province as of Wednesday and the continuing support being provided to families affected by the shear line.
To improve information dissemination in far-flung areas, especially in schools, the PDRRMC propose the distribution of more hand-held radios.
“These radios are of great help, especially in our areas where there are no internet connections,” Demerey said.
Augmentation
As of Tuesday afternoon, DSWD-13 some 2,682 Family Food Packs (FFPs) were sent by the agency to support the local government units (LGUs) that requested for augmentation.
It said the towns of Bacuag, Gigaquit, and General Luna in Surigao del Norte; Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; and San Jose in Dinagat Islands have sent requests for augmentation.
DSWD-13 data showed a total of 299 FFPs were delivered to Bacuag, 546 to General Luna and 1,078 to Gigaquit, all in Surigao del Norte.
At least 730 FFPs and 237 Non-Food Items (NFIs) were also handed over to the affected families in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and 29 FFPs for the evacuees in San Jose, Dinagat Islands.
“It is important to note that provision of augmentation support is based on the LGUs request, as mandated,” DSWD-13 said.
It added that supplies of FFPs and NFIs are prepositioned in the different strategic areas in the region and are ready for deliveries when needed. (PNA)
