MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)--The Gingoog City Government declared a state of calamity as they experienced flooding in multiple barangays due to moderate to heavy rains caused by shear line and wind convergence on December 25.

Sixteen out of the 79 barangays were flooded with waters up to four feet high prompting local authorities to evacuate residents.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2022- 361 was issued to urgently address the needs of the affected areas.

“Our priority is to protect and save the lives of Gingoognons,” Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa said.

The mayor disclosed that City Engineering Office personnel are monitoring and assessing the damages brought by the flooding incident, and the City Agriculture Office is monitoring the damages to the farmlands in the affected barangays.

Further, the City's Social Welfare and Development Office has started its calamity support activities in the affected barangays and evacuation areas to assess the needs of the evacuees.

No cases of casualties and missing persons were reported to the Gingoog City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRMMO), as the city records a total of 6,908 families sheltered in the different evacuation centers in the city as part of the preemptive evacuation procedures.

The city government is thankful for the private sector which had expanded its assistance in the rescue efforts of the city government. (JAKA/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)