DAVAO City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) conducted preemptive evacuation to several families residing in the coastal communities to safer grounds after waves battered the shorelines anew yesterday, September 13, brought about by monsoon waves and high tide.
Based on the update from CDRRMO issued around 6:16 a.m. yesterday, September 13, its operations center advised all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) and volunteer responders to conduct pre-emptive evacuation to residents in coastal communities in barangays 21-C, 23-C and Talomo Proper.
The affected areas in Barangay 23-C were Puroks 3, 4, 6, wherein the residents were temporarily evacuated in their barangay hall and in Purok 8 of Brgy. 21-C, evacuation area was at the nearest high ground.
At 6:35 a.m., the CDRRMO advised Purok 59 residents of Seaside Bangkal in Barangay Talomo Proper to evacuate to higher grounds.
On September 12, the CDRRMO-OPCEN issued coastal advisories to the public.
“CDRRMO-OPCEN advised BDRRMC's to conduct pre-emptive evacuation along coastal areas due to severe sea condition from rough to very rough seas brought by tropical depression ‘Marilyn’. Davao city sea level is now in high tide condition,” the advisory read.
CDDRMO operations head Rodrigo Bustillo said they have no figure on the evacuees since some only went to their neighborhood while big waves continue to hit the coastal areas in Davao.
He added that there was one house that was reported damaged due to the incident since the house was only made of light materials.
Bustillo reiterated that the coastal area is considered as a no-build zone, but still people continue to defy the order of the city government to relocate.
He added that the focus of the local government is to look for relocation area for these residents to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Station Davao head Commander Garry Laynesa said they are on high alert following the changes in weather, adding that they have alerted their personnel since Wednesday.
“Although wala tayong weather disturbance particularly Davao City but because of the tropical depression which enhanced our Southwest monsoon kaya malaki ang alon natin sa Davao Gulf. Our Coast Guard is on alert to cancel trips anytime pag medyo unsafe po para sa mga passenger boat natin na mag byahe,” Laynesa said.
Laynesa further advised the public to be updated on the weather.
“We also advised them to call the nearest Coast Guard Office for information relating to cancellation of passenger boat trips and other safety announcement,” the PCG Davao chief said.