Kabuntalan town placed under state of calamity due to massive flooding

The town of Kabuntalan in Maguindanao was placed under a "state of calamity" following massive flooding brought by heavy rains.

According to a report by Ivan Mayrina on QRT on Thursday, 17 barangays in Kabuntalan and more than 3,500 residents were affected by floods.

The report took note that the opening of classes could be pushed back if classrooms would remain flooded.

"Kung saka-sakali, parating 'yung pasukan at 'di pa rin mag-subside 'yung tubig so malamang ay ang aming local government unit at ang Department of Education ay magkaroon ng isang pagpaplano, so baka kako pwede natin ito magamit kung saan 'yung pinakamataas tulad nitong kalsada, 'yung sinasabing makeshift na pwedeng pag-aralan ng mga bata," said Anwar Salik, municipal administrator.

Meanwhile, five barangays in Cotabato City were also hit by floods, the same TV report said.

Moreover, crops in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat were also damaged by heavy rains.

"'Yan ang aming sakahan... nakatanim na kami noong May 8, ngunit dahil sa halos one week na baha, hindi na tumubo. Naubos talaga parang dagat na nga," said resident Princess Esmeralda.

"Mga 50, oo mga 50 hectares 'yan ngayon lang dahil malaki ang tubig. Noon, doon lang sa kabila ang damage. Dito wala pa," she added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News