Tornado destroys houses in 3 North Cotabato barangays

KIDAPAWAN CITY— A tornado destroyed houses in at least three remote barangays in the town of Pikit, North Cotabato, during a downpour last Thursday afternoon, a municipal disaster management officer said Saturday.

Pikit's Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Tahira Kalantongan said the tornado caused severe damage in Barangays Manaulanan, Pamalian, and Punol—leaving hundreds of residents homeless.
 
Also, Kalantongan said that a total of 151 houses made of light materials were destroyed in Thursday's incident, that also partially damaged two madrahsa schools and a mosque.
 
Moreover she said the twister's storing winds knocked trees and some coconut trees down.

A resident in Barangay Punol sustained minor injuries, she added.
 
Displaced residents are temporarily staying at their relatives' houses in nearby areas, and some others had opted to seek refuge at covered courts.
 
“We immediately extended food packs to the affected villagers,” Kalantongan said, adding that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will convene this Saturday to discuss possible assistance to affected families. — Williamor Magbanua/LBG, GMA News