DUE to intermittent weather and possible flooding, the Municipal Government of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte suspended work in government and classes on Monday, April 18, 2022.
In a press release, the municipal government advised students and teachers to refrain from traveling amid the possibility of flooding and slippery roads.
"Private and public school teachers are not required to report in their respective schools in effect of the suspension order. The school heads/principals, however, have the discretion to request select teachers to report in their schools ‘if needed’ in order to salvage school properties, especially those schools situated in flood-prone areas," the municipal government said.
Sto. Tomas Mayor Ernesto Evangelista ordered the suspension of all government office works except for those whose functions involve in the delivery of basic health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities and/or the performances of vital services.
Work in private companies, however, were put under the discretion of the management.
As of April 18, a total of 3,694 families were displaced due to flooding caused by a localized thunderstorm, while 29 families were sheltered temporarily in Barangay New Katipunan Covered Court that was converted into an evacuation center.
The local government is currently coordinating with the Department of Social Work and Development for the release and distribution of food packs to affected families.
Evangelista said relief and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Residents were greeted with high-level flooding on Easter Sunday, April 17, due to heavy rains caused by a localized thunderstorm.
The government is currently checking the extent of damage to infrastructure and livelihood.
Apart from river waters that swelled, piles of garbage, mostly plastics, empty bottled water and stems of banana trees have clogged irrigation canals in flood-hit barangays.