Maguindanao del Sur declares state of calamity after massive floods

Maguindanao del Sur has been placed under the state of calamity in the aftermath of widespread flooding in several areas of the province.

According to a 24 Oras report by Jestoni Jumamil on Wednesday, residents have begun cleaning up mud left by the flood in Pagalungan and Datu Montawal, Maguindanao del Sur.

“Problema namin ang putik, kasi mahirap maglinis dito,” said resident Hanipa Montawal.

(Our problem is the mud, because it’s hard to clean here.)

After the floods caused by heavy rains, residents now have to contend with thick mud after the water has dissipated.

“Dalawang araw na ako nag-laba dahil masyadong nalubog sa baha [ang gamit namin]. Binilad na ngayon,” added another resident Kibpo Paglas.

(I’ve been doing laundry for two days because [our things] were submerged in the flood. We are drying them now.)

The Datu Montawal Regional Health Unit was able to recover their equipment and medicine, and have been catering to patients in a hut next to the RHU.

Other residents whose houses are flooded are still forced to sleep on the streets.

“Ang bahay namin hanggang dito ang tubig… Apat na araw na kami dito… Pag malamig, tinitiis na lang namin,” said resident Montasser.

(The water reached up to here in our house… We’ve been here for four days… When it’s cold, we just bear with it.)

Meanwhile, other places in Datu Piang are still affected by floods.

In Duaminanga Elementary School, residents still have to contend against battle waist-deep flood water.

Emergency assistance is being distributed, while the local disaster risk reduction office is analyzing the overall cost of the damage caused by the natural disaster.

Meanwhile, floods in Davao City also left several motorists stranded in chest-deep waters.

“Grabe talaga yung sitwasyon namin dito kasi every time may baha dito… ito ang pinaka worst na baha na pinakamataas. Alam ko binabaha dito pero ‘di ganoon kataas pero ngayon grabe,” said resident Roger Duran.

(Our situation here everytime it floods is really bad… This may be the worst flood. I know we get flooded here, but it’s not that high but now it’s really too much.)

The Office of Civil Defense Region 11 said 282 individuals 7 from barangays were affected by the flooding in Davao City.

Two barangays in Pikit, Cotabato are still flooded, causing difficulty for disaster response and assistance to over 14,000 affected families.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News