THE damage to agriculture has already reached P114,615,279.20 and a death toll of ten was recorded by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao Region after the heavy rainfall brought by the low pressure area as of Monday, January 30.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration reported as of 4 p.m. Monday, the low pressure area that has been bringing rainfall the past days was estimated 210 kilometers east of Pagasa Island, Palawan, while the tail-end of a cold front was affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon.
OCD said on Tuesday the alert level was downgraded from blue to white as the weather was improving.
According to National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, blue alert means at least 50 percent of government forces should be at their posts at any time.
Under code white alert, “emergency service personnel at the hospital dorm shall be placed on call status” and “emergency medicines should be stocked and made available.”
OCD reported the death toll from the past days’ flooding and landslides has risen to ten.
The fatalities were identified as Sidela Mariano, 59; Demer Salio, 12; Malumi Calapong, 12; Ruyjen Banoon, 11; Jekelyn Calanganon, 8; Franklin Gomobao, 43; Bembem Cabisa, 17; Rodrigo Digal, 22; Pablo Gador, 47; and Jeymar Gomera, 29.
The injured individuals were Jansen Galano, 33; Dalia Gador, 47; and Amelita Macpao, 61.
Based on the damage assessment in agriculture provided by the Department of Agriculture, of the figure, the damage in livestock cost P14,662,700 while the damage in crops escalated to P97,030,179.20 including rice, corn, banana and vegetables.
On the part of the fishery sectors, the damage pegged at P2,926,530.
According to OCD Regional Director Leocencio Cirunay, in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City, the affected population reached to 283,438 from Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental and Compostela Valley.
Cirunay said the heavy flooding displaced around 11,400 families equivalent to 54,484 individuals who are temporarily sheltered in 71 designated evacuation centers.
In terms of housing, the heavy rain swept away 30 houses which were destroyed and leaving 224 damaged houses with a total estimated cost of P533,000.
Cirunay said the OCD is working round-the-clock to respond to any disasters but he appealed to the public to abide by disaster warnings and to evacuate when told to do so.
He said his suggestion in holding swimming lessons for children in flood-prone areas has been welcomed by local government units.