MORE than 1,000 families and 500 individuals in two different areas in Davao Region were affected due to heavy rains over the weekend.
In a statement, around 500 individuals in the town of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro were evacuated due to heavy rains since Friday, January 14.
Nabunturan Mayor Chelita Amatong said the residents from five barangays were evacuated due to the heavy downpour, which resulted in landslides and flooding. These barangays are San Isidro, Magading, Basak, Magsaysay, and Basak.
"Anaa na kitay kapin 500 ka mga indibidwal na kasamtangang anaa sa atong mga (We have around 500 individuals that are currently at our) evacuation centers o designated temporary shelters na ato gayud ginasiguro ang ilahang comfort ug wellness pinaagi sa atong mga personahe gikan sa atong MSWDO [Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office]," Amatong said in a statement posted on her Facebook post on Sunday, January 16.
As of Monday, January 17, there were still families at the evacuation centers.
The heavy rains had prompted Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyon Uy to suspend the classes in all levels both public and private on Monday and Tuesday, January 17 and 18, respectively.
The Municipal Government of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte reported a total of 1,180 families affected by the recent flooding in various barangays due to the flooding triggered by the continuous rain from January 15 to 17.
Santo Tomas Municipal Information Officer Mart Sambalud said in a statement on Monday evening that Barangay San Miguel has the most number of families affected with 800, followed by Kinamayan with 153, Salvacion 150, and Kimamon 35.
Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said the families were advised for pre-emptive evacuation to ensure their safety.
Leilani Mae Rafol, Officer-In-Charge of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, said the figure was based on the partial list obtained by her office in four flood-hit villages on Monday.
Rafol said her office initially provided food and water provisions to the displaced families, adding that the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management personnel have mounted tents to shelter the displaced families.
In an advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), heavy rains would be experienced beginning January 15 wherein flooding is expected in some areas in the entire Davao Region.