DAVAO DEL NORTE (PIA) -- Four local government units in Davao Del Norte have been placed under the State of Calamity as of January 18, 2024, giving the grounds for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) to  work for a provincial  level declation of the state of calamity. 

These are the municipalities New Corella  through  Sangguniang Bayan (SB) No.  2024-001, s 2024; Carmen, SB Res. No. 1095, s. 2024; Sto Tomas, SB No. 16 s. 2024; and Asuncion, SB No. 24-001, s. 2024.

Tagum City and the Municipality of Kapalong are also recommended by its respective local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) to be placed under the state of calamity due to the effects of shear line weather system that resulted in flooding in said areas.

The declaration  will unlock the   calamity funds  that the provincial government  can maximize to provide the needs of flood victims and possibly recoup their  losses.

Jubahib was looking at immediately assisting some 244,000 individual-victims of flooding as a result of the continuous  rains since  afternoon of January 15 due to the Shearline Weather System.

Based on the PDRRM Office Progress Report  released at 1:00 p.m. of January 18,2024, eight LGUs with a total of 81 barangays have been affected by inundation as heavy volume of floodwaters from nearby provinces of Bukidnon, Davao de Oro including those from upstream sources within the province, rushed downstream beyond the capacity  of Davao del Norte rivers to  hold.

The Asuncion town has the most number of affected barangays at a total of 16;    Tagum City, 15; New Corella 15; Sto. Tomas, 12 ;  Kapalong, 12 ; Carmen,  three ; Braulio E. Dujali,  five; Panabo City, three.

Meanwhile, the governor calls for assistance from benevolent individuals, business people, government agencies and national government officials.

“Hinaut nga daghan sa atong mga kaigsoonan nga adunay ‘big hearts’ sa paghtag ug tabang sa atong mga kaigsonan nga biktima. (Hoping that some of our brethrens would have a big heart to help the vicims),” he said as he pitched his call for assistance also specifically to the offices of the Senators, the Vice President and the President.

While the city, municipal and provincial governments have been able to provide the evacuation facilities and the initial  emergency relief assistance, Jubahib made this  call for help to sustain the daily needs especially of those severely affected families.

“Kinhanglang nato nga magtabangay ta para sa pag-sustain sa pagkaon aning kaigsonan nga affected kay daghan  kaayo (We need to help each other to sustain the food of our affected brothers and sisters. There are a number  of them),” he said.  (JMDA/PIA Davao del Norte)