Forced evacuation has been implemented in several barangays in Maco, Davao de Oro, following a landslide that buried at least two buses in Barangay Masara evening on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
These barangays include Masara, Mainit, Tagbaros, Elizalde, and Panibasan.
Residents in these areas have been advised to look for safer ground.
Evacuation centers are already identified in Upper Elizalde, Andili High School, Panibasan Church in Maco, Nuevo Iloco High School, and Elizalde ICQP. An incident command post has also been established in Barangay Elizalde.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has deployed its Mountain Search and Rescue (MOSAR) team to help the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in the rescue and retrieval efforts.
The buses were carrying employees of a mining firm when the landslide occurred on their way home.
Meanwhile, classes in all levels and work in schools in Maco town are suspended on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, due to the threat of flash floods and landslide.
It was reported earlier that three buses were buried in the landslide but the MDRRMO clarified later that the landslide hit only two buses.
As of 10 p.m. on February 6, eight passengers were rescued:
- ELDING, PENTICASE
- DELA CRUZ, GYULE
- BENOLIRAO, JUBEL
- SALVACION, GERUM
- DEALOSA, RONEL
- SORIANO, MITCHELLE
- SORIANO, RUBEN
- ABALLE, DARWIN
Hours later, at least three more were rescued, including a man who had to be rushed to a hospital in Tagum City due to severe injuries.
The landslide occured after continuous rains in the Davao region caused by a shearline and trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA).
(With reports from Jandi Esteban, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao)
