THE Municipal Government of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte has placed the entire town under a state of calamity in the aftermath of a series of floods brought by localized thunderstorms, incurring nearly P45-million cost in damages.
In a press statement, the Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution declaring the entire Sto. Tomas under a state of calamity.
According to the resolution, a total of 11 barangays were heavily affected by severe and heavy thunderstorms.
Among the highly devastated are agricultural crops, banana farms and palay areas, including livestock and infrastructure projects.
"This worst and abrupted flood destroyed agricultural crops and various infrastructure projects and as per Disaster Incident Reprot from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) at least 8,776 families in the municipality were seriously affected with Thirty-four (34) displaced families forcing them to flee from their homes and temporarily stay in evacuation centers," the resolution said.
According to the Municipal Agriculturist and the Municipal Engineer Office, a total of 1,653.85 hectares were damaged, bringing a total cost of P15,947,803.50. Infrastructure and road damages cost P3,065,820 and the total estimated costs for rehab/improvement are P25,946,705.
The municipal government said the disaster relief and rehabilitation effort costs will be sourced from the quick response fund.
Under Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council shall recommend to the Sangguniang Bayan the declaration of a state of calamity and its lifting based on certain criteria.
“The declaration of a state of calamity is crucial for the Santo Tomas LGU as this will enable the local government to use the calamity funds, impose a price freeze on basic commodities, and allow the entry of rehabilitation efforts,” the local government said.