Red Cross assists flood victims

MANILA -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday said its chapters in Mindanao gave various forms of assistance to several families affected by floods and landslides mostly in the Caraga region.

In Surigao del Sur where a state of calamity has been declared, the PRC chapter conducted mass feeding and relief operations in Tago town, one of the severely affected municipalities.

More than 26,000 families have been reported to be affected by flood in the province, with 400 families staying in evacuation centers.

In Agusan del Sur, the PRC chapter has served 1,478 families from the feeding activities held in an evacuation center in Bunawan.

The government said more than 600 families still remained at evacuation centers, as of Wednesday morning. PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter is also set to distribute relief items to at least 300 affected families on Thursday.

Meanwhile, PRC Davao del Sur Chapter will conduct ocular survey and assessment in Sta. Maria town where 100 families were affected by flooding in Barangays Pong Pong, Bucca and San Isidro. Two persons were reported missing.

“Some parts of the country were unfortunately welcomed in 2011 with tormenting floods and landslides. We appeal to everyone for help to aid the affected families,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tail-end of a cold front triggered the massive flooding and landslides in some areas in Visayas and Mindanao over the weekend. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)