OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)--President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to visit and distribute goods to victims of massive flooding and landslides due to a shear line at the Provincial Cultural and Farmers Training Center, Oroquieta City, January 11.

The shear line weather condition, where cold and warm winds converge left several towns of the province flooded and homes washed away due to massive flooding, rising of water levels of rivers and streams and landslides due to heavy rains since December 24, 2022.

As of January 4, 2023, a total of 40,703,484 worth of assistance was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in financial assistance to affected families.

As for the damage, Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. put together a Rapid Disaster Assessment and Needs Analysis team to figure out how bad the destruction and flooding were.

Meanwhile, as of January 9, a total of 35,002 families, or 143,697 individuals, were affected across the region. There have been 42 reported casualties, with 26 dead and 16 injured.

Furthermore, power outages and communication signal loss were reported, particularly in some Misamis Occidental municipalities.

Although there have been responses and the provision of food and shelter for evacuees, there is still a need to assess and check on the damages and needs of the people affected. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)