2 Agusan towns flooded, under state of calamity

At least two towns in Agusan del Sur province were declared under a state of calamity even as floodwaters finally began to subside Friday, Sun-Star newspaper reported Sunday. Sun-Star Cagayan de Oro reported that the floods affected at least 159 villages in the Caraga Region, mostly in Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Butuan City. It said the town council of Sta. Josefa passed a resolution approved by Mayor Isoceles Otero declaring the town under a state of calamity. The town council of Loreto in Agusan del Sur similarly declared a state of calamity. At least two persons, one each from Sta. Josefa and Loreto, drowned in floodwaters while at least two more residents remain missing. Provincial welfare officer Josefina Bajade identified the drowned victims as Rustom C. Diploma Jr., 5, of Barangay Cubo, Esperanza town and Jose “Jeeboy" Labaren, 9, of Barangay Sayon, Sta. Josefa town, all in Agusan del Sur Two other earlier casualties included Lemuel Serrano, 15, of Veruela town in Agusan del Sur and Roberto Palapas, 31, of San Miguel town in Surigao del Sur. Local disaster coordinating councils claimed that there are two unidentified missing persons in Veruela, Agusan del Sur and in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. Acting Caraga regional civil defense office director Blanche Gobenciong the number of flood victims has risen to 30,117 families or about 126,987 persons. The Science Department warned the weather pattern was similar to the heavy rains that caused a massive landslide that wiped out Barangay Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte and killed thousands of people last year. Gobenciong said rescue and relief operations are ongoing as some evacuees have already started to return to their respective homes because of fear of robbery due to rising thefts as poverty worsened. Agusan del Sur Governor Eddie Plaza said rescue teams in 75 barangays in eight towns were mobilized as floods affected towns near the Agusan River. Electric power in Esperanza town in Agusan del Sur was cut off while at least 1,725 hectares of agricultural lands were destroyed by flashfloods, Plaza said. Plaza added that Agusan del Sur victims now rose to 9,339 families or about 44,346 persons. Plaza issued a warning to all local disaster coordinating councils in all total 17 towns of the province to be vigilant and conduct around-the-clock watch. He also advised residents living in identified landslide and flood prone areas to proceed to safer grounds or nearest evacuation centers. A house in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, was reported washed out by rampaging flood waters but no deaths were reported as of press time. Butuan City welare chief officer Aldeberan Mordeno told the City Disaster Coordinating Council that the flood affected 25 barangays in the city. Mordeno said some of the affected families have been evacuated to the barangay halls and gyms, public schools, and barangay multi-purpose centers. Meanwhile, authorities are keeping watch over mining places of Diwalwal in Monkayo and in Pantukan in Compostela Valley, for possible landslides. Areas with steep slops and cracks found in some parts of the mining areas are also being closely watched and monitored. Erosion on hillside soil along national highway going to Maragusan in Compostela Valley was also reported but the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units have immediately rendered assistance and bulldozers were swiftly dispatched in these areas. - GMANews.Tv