GOV'T AID. Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol (DSWD-5) personnel distribute food and non-food relief items to flood victims in Uson, Masbate on Tuesday (Nov. 21, 2023). Some 190 families or 564 individuals in the province are now taking shelter in six evacuation centers amid the floods caused by heavy rains. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Bicol)
LEGAZPI CITY – Several local government units (LGUs) in Bicol suspended classes on Tuesday as the shear line dumped heavy rains across the region, the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol (OCD-5) reported.
Among the areas that issued a suspension were the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate and eight towns in Catanduanes.
Albay Governor and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chair Edcel Greco Lagman issued an advisory canceling classes in public and private schools due to the effects of the shear line that continues to bring heavy and significant amounts of rain in the province.
In Sorsogon, an Orange rainfall advisory was issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), indicating heavy to intense rainfall, which prompted the suspension of classes from kindergarten to senior high school.
In Masbate province, pre-kindergarten to senior high school classes were canceled.
The towns of Viga, Virac, Baras, Bagamanoc, Pandan, Gigmoto, Bato and San Miguel in Catanduanes province likewise issued an advisory suspending classes at all levels.
Meanwhile, some 190 families or 564 individuals in Masbate province are now taking shelter in six evacuation centers amid the floods caused by heavy rains.
In an interview, Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD-5 spokesperson, said the affected families are from Dimasalang, Mobo, Palanas, San Pascual and Uson towns.
"We also recorded based on the initial report 21 partially damaged houses in Uson town (20 houses) and Jose Panganiban town in Camarines Norte. Two spillways in Cataingan and San Jacinto are also reported as not passable," he said.
Six areas in Masbate and Catanduanes are flooded while eight rain-induced landslides in Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes were also reported.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) distributed food and non-food relief items to flood victims in Uson town, Masbate.
In a separate interview, Marygizelle Mesa, DSWD-5 information officer, said they immediately delivered 104 family food packs, 100 pieces of "malong" and 100 pieces of blanket as an initial assistance to those who are sheltered in evacuation centers in Magsaysay and Buenavista villages.
"Our field officers are in close coordination with the LGU regarding the status of the incident, assessing the conditions of internally displaced persons, and determining the possible need for other relief augmentation," Mesa said.
Each box of family food pack contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of tuna, four cans of corned beef, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee and another five sachets of cereal drinks, providing two days of food for a family of five. (PNA)
