Sun.Star: 5 North Cotabato towns under state of calamity

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - The Provincial Board (PB) in North Cotabato has declared five towns in the province's first district "under state of calamity" after they were hit by flashfloods last week. Data from the Provincial Government showed that more than 8,500 hectares of agricultural lands planted with rice, corn, and other vegetables were damaged by the floods, as a result of the continuous heavy rainfall. The most affected towns were Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan, and Pikit. Since Monday this week, the provincial social welfare and development office distributed thousands of sacks of rice to about 900 affected families. According to provincial social welfare officer Virgilita Guilaran, the local government unit (LGU) has already allotted some funds for additional assistance. Guilaran has instructed social workers in the affected towns to coordinate with the provincial LGU in relief and food distribution. She said of the towns affected by flashfloods, Pigcawayan town has the highest damage percentage, with at least 40 percent of its 30 villages flooded since Friday. Pigcawayan is one of the rice granaries in North Cotabato. Guilaran also said that torrential rains caused irrigation canals in Pigcawayan to overflow and destroyed some P30-million worth of its rice and corn crops. The flood also destroyed a bridge in Barangay Raradangan, Alamada, situated adjacent to Pigcawayan town. In a session last Tuesday, North Cotabato Vice-Governor Manny Piñol, chair of the Provincial Board, has urged Governor Jesus Sacdalan and officials in the affected towns to release immediately part of their calamity funds to assist thousands of farmers affected by flashfloods. As of Wednesday afternoon, no fatalities were reported and affected residents of the said towns have already returned to their homes. - Sun.Star