6 dead, 1 missing due to continuous heavy rains in Caraga, RDCC record shows
BUTUAN CITY (January 16) – Six dead and one missing were reported by Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)-Caraga due to continuous heavy rains in the region which started Saturday (January 10).
As of 1:00 this afternoon, RDCC-Caraga Executive Officer and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong reported that a certain Veronica Pepoy, 51 years old and a resident of Nueva Estrella, Cagdianao in Dinagat Islands Province was drowned when the boat she was riding capsized.
In Agusan del Sur, two persons were reportedly dead and one of these is still unidentified as of press time. The unidentified male cadaver was reportedly found at Agusan River in Barangay Taglubong, Trento. The other casualty is identified as Zacarias Gales, 33 years old, resident of Brgy. Pisaan, San Francisco. He was reportedly missing last January 13 and his dead body was found at Adlayan River along Managbay, Bitan-agan, San Francisco about 6:00 a.m. on January 14, 2009.
Another victim from Surigao del Norte is identified as Roland Yamyamin, 31 years old of Brgy. Aurora, Surigao City. Same with Veronica Pepoy, he was drowned when the boat he was riding capsized.
In Bislig City, two unidentified men were buried due to yesterday’s landslide along the highway at Brgy. Gangas, Cumayas. They were buried by rushing mud and debris.
RDCC also reported one missing in Agusan del Norte. The victim was identified as Jerome Goliat, 22 years old and a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. Songkoy, Kitcharao. According to report, Goliat was swept by strong water current.
Meanwhile, 1,388 families or 8,312 individuals from the Province of Dinagat Islands were reportedly affected by floods due to incessant rains.
In Agusan del Norte, 1,501 families or 6,867 people are reportedly affected. Agusan del Sur with 264 families or 1,231 individuals; Surigao del Sur – 130 families or 376 persons; and Surigao del Norte – 518 families or 2,082 people.
Summing it up, 2,505 families or 10,588 people are greatly affected by the disaster in Caraga Region.
As to the number of evacuees, in the Province of Dinagat Islands, 92 families evacuated in evacuation centers of the province: Poblacion Day Care Center, Chapel and in Tubajon Elementary School.
In Agusan del Norte, 1,351 families have evacuated in evacuation centers. Of these families, the municipality of Carmen posted 1,010 families while in the municipality of Jabonga, 341 families were reportedly evacuated.
Reported damage to houses in Dinagat islands is estimated to Php 340,000 and in Agusan del Sur, Php 15,000.
Lifeline status of Butuan City shows that barangay road at Baan Riverside, particularly Puroks 6, 6-A, and 7 were flooded under water as well as in Baan Central Elementary School quadrangle.
In Carmen, Agusan del Norte, all elementary and secondary school campuses are also flooded. The landslide portion of Manoligao Provincial Road, Boundary Tagcatong National Highway, Bolihon-Vinapor Provincial Road in Brgy. Poblacion, and some portion of municipal roads are flooded and damaged.
Bridges in Brgys. Bunawan Brook, Nueva Era, and Sitio Mangadao in Agusan del Sur are not passable. Electricity and water system in Esperanza is unserviceable, while barangays La Caridad, Napo, and San Pedro in Prosperidad is submerged in water as well as the roads in barangays Ladgadan, Ebro, Tagapua, Borbon, News Visayas, and Calimpugan in San Francisco.
The whole town of San Miguel in Surigao del Sur is flooded. Electricty is also unserviceable as of press time and roads are not passable to all types of vehicles.
Electrical posts at barangays Poblacion and Julio Ouano in Alegria, Surigao del Norte need to be fixed including street-light connection. The water supply connection in Brgy. Alipao is also affected by flashflood. Blue pipes installed near Candiis River were damaged. Also, the road connecting Brgy. Ombong to Camp Eduard needs immediate repair sicne culverts were displaced and two landslides occurred and is no longer passable by four-wheel vehicles.
Roads and bridges in Surigao City were partially damaged. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-13)
Landslide, flooding hit Caraga Region; DPWH personnel on round-the clock watch
BUTUAN CITY (16 January) - As rain continues to pound Northern Mindanao, hitting Region X with numerous landslides and covering every homes with water, Caraga Region is also slowly feeling the wrath of nature. Today, more places are affected with landslides and over-flooded roadways causing temporary closure to traffic until debris are cleared.
Department of Public Works and Highways personnel in the entire region of Caraga are on round-the clock maintenance, clearing the roads affected by landslide and putting up warnings signs and markers to flooded areas amidst the biting cold. Also, equipment and personnel composing the Disaster Preparedness Team are on standby for possible assistance in case of evacuation.
In the Municipality of Carmen, Agusan del Norte, 3 landslides occurred since January 12-14, 2008, closing one lane to traffic. Clearing is on-going but no major damage to road structure.
Surigao del Sur I reported that Tandag-Barobo route is not passable to light vehicles specifically along Gamut-Sumo-sumo road due to over flooding and junction Gamut-San Miguel route is totally close to traffic due to deep flood waters.
Meanwhile, Bislig City is experiencing power failure and more houses are under water. The District Office is not spared as water also filled the premises. But still, field personnel are patching potholes and cleaning ditches.
In Surigao del Norte I, landslides also occurred along the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, temporarily closing Claver section on January 14, 2009, to all types of vehicles while Placer is open to light vehicles only. Road clearing was completed at 12:30 AM of the following day.
The island Districts of Dinagat and Siargao are also in battle with flooded roads and landslides and road slips. Thankfully, no major whip of wind and wave is felt as of date.
Trento, Agusan del Sur is not passable due to deep water and the Municipalities of Prosperidad and Lucena are open only to trucks and bigger vehicles because of over flooding. While in NRJ Pulang Lupa-Sta. Josefa Road, a 5m in length landslide detaching RCPC was incurred allowing only light vehicles to pass.
In summary, the Region still experience intensifying rains and more areas are expected to be underwater. Initial cost of damages is totalled to Php 142,000.00 as of January 15, 2009. (Connie R. Calo, DPWH-13/PIA-Caraga)
5 Agusan del Sur municipalities under “state of calamity”
AGUSAN DEL SUR (16 January) – Five municipalities of this province namely Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Prosperidad, Trento and Rosario have already declared under State of Calamity at present.
In an emergency meeting called by the Chairperson of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Gov. Maria Valentina Plaza thru the Provincial Administrator Jesusimo Ronquillo, partial assessment of the situation in the province were presented by members from different agencies.
According to unofficial report by the DepEd, some classes in affected areas were already suspended since the start of the flooding on January 11, while the Provincial Agriculture Office cited partial assessment of damages to crops and infrastructure, while the situation was still worsening.
Thru rigid discussion and debates, members of the PDCC agreed to let members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan pass a resolution declaring the entire province of Agusan del Sur under State of Calamity thru SP Resolution No. 1041.
As of 9:45 today, reports from the Provincial Disaster Management Center (PDMC) revealed that 21,688 families or 106,329 persons from 105 barangays were already affected by floods. This figure does not yet include the municipalities of Sibagat, San Luis, Loreto and the City of Bayugan, whose report were not yet received by the PDMC.
Another unidentified male cadaver was also found in Barangay Taglubog, Trento believed to be coming from Brgy. Tudela, Trento, and a victim of drowning.
According to reports from the PDMC, damages to infrastructure like roads and bridges already reached to P30.8 million, while only six municipalities partially reported damages to agriculture amounting to 6.263,796. A house in Trento was totally damaged, another five houses in Esperanza town partially damaged and four school buildings in Veruela were under water. Three bridges in Bunawan town were not passable as 6:00 PM yesterday, while six barangay roads in San Francisco and another three in Prosperidad submerged underwater.
Members of the Provincial Relief Team headed by Josefina Bajade of the PSWD and the Philippine National Red Cross are in close coordination and are at present distributing relief goods to some 260 families or 1,231 persons in the six evacuation centers to augment the relief operations by the affected municipalities. (David M. Suyao, PIA-Agusan del Sur)
68 barangays affected by flood in Surigao del Sur
Tandag City (January 16) – Continuous rainfall since January 10 causing some 68 barangays from ten towns of Surigao del Sur affected by floods.
Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) partially reported 5,545 persons were affected. Most of the Agricultural farms and fisheries were damaged as well as the farm to market roads bound for interior barangays. No estimated amount of damages released as of press time due to some barangays that are still submerged.
Some towns here declared under state of calamity such as the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Lanuza, San Agustin and this city.
Meanwhile, Mayor Alexander Pimentel of this city warned his constituents along the danger zone to transfer immediately to the evacuation center. The local government provided the city gymnasium and Bongtud Elementary School as evacuation centers. (Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, PIA-Surigao del Sur)
8,308 affected, 1 dead in Dinagat Island
Province of Dinagat Islands (16 January) - Over 8,308 people throughout the province were severely affected Tuesday night, January 13 after huge waves caused by strong winds affected in some areas which destroyed fishing boats, motor bancas, some houses and structures along coastal areas particularly those situated in the northwest coastal municipalities of the province.
Reports from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council also bared that heavy rains triggered minor landslides and damage of low lying ricefields in the area.
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, (January 14), reports from the PDCC secretariat, show that one person from Cagdianao was confirmed dead due to drowning from a capsized motor banca.
Municipalities affected with the number of individuals affected are as follows: Dinagat-3,151, Cagdianao-460, Libjo-5, San Jose-10, and Tubajon-4,169.
Damage to houses amounted to P340,000.00 while damage to infrastructure in the municipalities of Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Tubajon amounted to P3,540,000.00 and agri-fishery amounted to P 2,192,600.00.
As of January 14, 2008 total damage report received by the PDCC secretariat amounted to P 6,072,000.00. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
43,650 residents affected as heavy rains continue wreck havoc in AgSur
Some 43,650 residents living in the low lying areas in different municipalities here in Agusan Del Sur have affected with flood waters engulfed as heavy down pour had already existed in 6 days since Januaary 10 earlier.
These number of people affected was a part of the 11,527 families as of press time, officially reported by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council as of 8:00 am yesterday, January 15, 2009.
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council heightened their level of alertness through its Search And Rescue in Agusan del Sur (SARAS) who round the clock conducted search and rescue monitoring operation to the identified flood prone areas.
As of press time affected families were already evacuated to the higher grounds for safety and only 21 most affected families in Brgy. Tapas of Sta. Josefa town and 4 families of brgy. San Marcos of Bunawan town were officially declared displaced at different designated Evacuation Centers.
Damages to agriculture and live stocks estimated to summed up to a total of 1,515,436 M ; 769 hectares rice and corn fields and vegetable farms in Sta. Josefa, Rosario, Talacugon, Trento, and Esperanza areas were submerged.
Most affected roads under water as of today were: Brgy. Road of Ladgadan, Ebro, Tagapua, New Visayas, and Caimpugan all in San Francisco town area; in Prosperidad town were: Brgy. La Caridad, Napo, and San Pedro; brgy roads going to Libuac in Rosario town also engulfed with flood waters today.
As of now, among the municipalities mostly and directly affected with in today’s heavy down pour and flashfloods were Sta. Josefa, Prosperidad, Veruela, La Paz, Esperanza, Rosario, Talacogon, Trento, Bunawan, and San Francisco. Initial food assistance had extended by the PDCC.
The municipality of Veruela was declared under the state of calamity per resolution No.2009-02 and also the municipality of Sta. Josefa per resolution No.3-2009; Resolution faxed to the OCD-Caraga Regional Office .
The PSWDO personnel are still monitoring and validating the extent of the damages brought about by flash flood as it struck the entire low lying areas in Agusan Del Sur. (Edwin S. Fuentes/PIO ADS/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga Region continues to experience cloudy skies and rainfalls
BUTUAN CITY (16 January) – In a written report by Caraga Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) sent to PIA-Caraga as of 9:00 a.m. today, rainfall, cloudy skies, and intermittent wind gustiness is still experienced in Caraga region due to the tail-end of a cold front affecting the eastern seaboard of the Philippine archipelago from Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao. Coastal and marine waves are moderate to strong.
Flooding are experienced in areas near major river systems with some localized swelling of floodwaters and encroachment in residential areas near river mouths. Most of the river systems are already in bank-full condition. Higher floodwaters are now being experienced in various communities of the region.
Also, some community settlement areas, specifically those in barangays facing the Philippine Sea to the east were affected by the northeast monsoon wind surges and concomitant coastal wave erosion.
Alert advisories are issued and aired through radio stations to warn the general public and DCCs to be vigilant specifically in those areas that were previously identified as landslide, flood and storm surge prone sites. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
RDCC-Caraga monitors and responds to affected areas of heavy rains, floods in the region
BUTUAN CITY (16 January) – The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)-Caraga headed by RDCC Executive Officer and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong continue to monitor and respond to residents of affected areas of heavy rains and floods in the region.
According to Dir. Gobenciong, RDCC also continues to disseminate warning advisories to LCEs, City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCCs), RDCC member agencies and the media thru fax, text messages, and SMS of PIA-Caraga.
“Local DCCs are conducting evacuation, relief operation and damage assessment in their respective areas”, Gobenciong said.
Also, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) of Agusan del Sur dispatched Search and Rescue Team with rubber boat, stake truck and Isuzu Elf vehicle to affected areas.
Meanwhile, Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) of Agusan del Norte also conducted immediate declogging of canals in Barangay Poblacion.
On the other hand, Surigao City allocated P6,175.00 worth of light materials to families with totally destroyed houses of Barangay San Juan, Barangay Lipata, and Barangay Washington.
As of press time, municipality of Carmen, Agusan del Norte needs the following commodities like medicines, mosquito net and clothing, foods, canned goods and noodles. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
4 Caraga LGUs officially declared under “state of calamity”
BUTUAN CITY (16 January) – Following the continuous heavy rains which started to hit the region last Saturday, January 10, four local government units of Caraga Region has declared under “state of calamity”.
In a written report by RDCC sent to PIA-Caraga as of 9:00 a.m. today, the municipality of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte is one among the four declared municipalities under state of calamity through SB Resolution No. 01-2009 dated January 8, 2009.
The municipality of Veruela, Agusan del Sur is also declared through SB Resolution No. 2009-02 dated January 13, 2009.
Municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur was also included among the four municipalities through Municipal Resolution No. 02 Series 2009 dated January 13, 2009.
Also, municipality of Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur through SB Resolution No. 03-2009 dated January 14, 2009.
Also, in an interview with a local radio station here, Office of Civil Defense Operations Chief Amado Busa said that as of press time, the above-mentioned LGUs have officially submitted to their office documents signifying the declaration of their municipalities under state of calamity. “Thus, these four municipalities has officially declared under state of calamity basing on the documents they submitted to our office”, Busa said.
It was also learned that during yesterday’s Sangguniang Panlungsod session in Surigao City, the council has declared the city under “state of calamity”.
Meanwhile, the local government unit of Carmen, Agusan del Norte has no capacity to restore and rehabilitate the damage portion of Magtiaco Bridge flood control dikes situated at Barangay Ombong Leak portion may cause damage in the future if not remedied. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
Casurra raises warning vs rough sea conditions in Surigao
Surigao City (16 January) - City Mayor Alfonso Casurra in a radio announcement this morning has raised warning to the shipping vessels and sea crafts to avert possible catastrophes due to rough conditions in the sea.
The announcement was made after Mayor Casurra received a gale warning advisory just recently from RDCC Caraga region.
“The conditions in the sea is rough to very very rough, its wave height measures from 3.7 meters to 5 meters and its wind force is 68 kph,” Mayor Casurra said
"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are not allowed to go out to the sea while larger vessels are alerted against big waves," Casurra added.
Casurra urged the people living in the island not to venture out in the sea for they might encounter weather related sea-mishaps.
Currently, the tail-end of a cold front is prevailing throughout Visayas and Mindanao, causing big waves over the areas in Surigao del Norte and nearby provinces. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
RDCC-Caraga reports status of affected areas of continuous rainfall, floods in the region
BUTUAN CITY (16 January) - The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)-Caraga reported today the status of affected areas of continuous rainfall, floods in the region.
In a written report sent today to PIA-Caraga, Carmen, Agusan del Norte experienced landslide in some portion of Manoligao Provincial Road, Boundary Tagcatong National Highway, Bolihon-Vinapor Provincial Road and in Barangay Poblacion, and some portion of Municipal Roads are flooded/damaged.
In the municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, electricity and water system is now serviceable while in the municipality of Prosperidad, the three barangays like La Caridad, Napo, and San Pedro submerged underwater.
Also, in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, the roads in Barangay Ladgadan, Ebro, Tagapua, Borbon, New Visayas, and Caimpugan submerged underwater.
Meanwhile, in Alegria, Surigao del Norte, the electrical posts at Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Julio Ouano need to be fixed including street light connection. Barangay Alipao water supply connection also affected by flashflood while blue pipes installed near Candilis River were damaged.
Barangay Ompong to Camp Eduard road in Alegria, Surigao del Sur also needs immediate repair, culverts were also displaced and two landslide occurred no longer passable by 4-wheel vehicles, only habal-habal can maneuver while roads and bridges in Surigao City were partially damaged. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Gov. Ace Barbers Mipahigayon ug pag “turn-over” sa Free Grow Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer sa matag munisipyo
Surigao del Norte (16 January) - Dako ang kalipay sa tanang mga municipal agriculturist sa gipalapdan karon nga mga programa sa atong maalagarong Gobernador Robert Ace Barbers sa agrikultura diin kini mipahigayon sa pag “turn-over” sa halos 500 ka kahon sa mga organic liquid fertilizers niadtong miaging adlaw, Enero 14, 2009 didto sa Provincial Agriculture Office.
Ang matag munisipyo magpakadawat ug tig 100 ka gallons sa maong organic fertilizer diin si Mr. Trujelio Pepito nga maoy atong OIC Provincial Agriculturist, mapagarbohong mipahibalo sa tanan, nga ang maong fertilizer mga ginganlag “Free Grow Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer” maayo para sa pagpadako ug pagpatambok sa atong mga pananom ug usab kini luwas sa makahilong kemikal ug gani, iyang dugang gibutyag nga kini magamit usab sa mga mananap ug gani sa tawo isip “energy booster”.
Dugang pa niini, malipayon ang PAO nga ang maong organic fertilizer gi “export” na sa halos 15 ka nasud sa tibuok kalibutan.
Ang “Free Grow Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer” usa lamang sa mga ubay-ubay nga programa ni Gob. Ace Barbers ubos sa iyang Fertilizer Support Program para sa pagpahamok pa sa atong mga humay ug mga pananom sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte.
Nagmabungahon ang maong tigum diin siya mipadayag sa tanang mintambong nga karong umaabot Pebrero 2, 2009, siya mopahigayon ug usa ka consultative meeting sa tanang mga aktibong mag-uuma nga miyembro sa matag rice farmers associations aron usab sila mabati-an ug mahatagan ug igong atensyon ang ilang mga isyu ug mga mulo sa nagkadaiyang munisipyo.
Dako ang pasalamat ni Gob. Ace Barbers sa suporta ug pakig tambayayungay nga gipakita sa matag munisipyo aron lamang makab-ot ang tiunay nga kalambo-an sa agrikultura sa tibuok probinsya nga maoy tumong ug tinguha sa iyang pangagamhanan. (PGO-Media Bureau/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DENR , LGU launch “ Save Agusan “
BUTUAN CITY – The local executive officials in tandem with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR ) in Caraga Region have declared an an-all out war against illegal logging and mining operation in Agusan del Sur through the launching of the project called “Save Agusan “.
DENR Regional Executive Director for Caraga Region Edilberto S. Buiser said the move is in line with the thrust and priorities of Secretary Lito L. Atienza, Jr. for 2009 on Socio-Economic Development that include the protection of the environment as mandated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The PENR Officer Sixto S. Badua and Agusan del Sur provincial Governor Ma. Valentia G. Plaza and some concerned municipal mayors have pooled their resources together in what they perceived to be an effective strategy to discourage unscrupulous log traders from conducting their illegal act elsewhere in the province.
The nucleus of the Save Agusan project is comprised of the Governor of Agusan province, the environment and natural resources office of the local government unit , the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development , the Consortium of Civil Society Organization , Indigenous People, the Philippine Information Agency, the PNP Philippine Army and the DENR-PENRO and five CENR officers.
The local officials and the DENR have been alarmed by presence of a dozen of illegal sawmill operations by some residents who apparently were catering to undocumented forest products being brought to them by the poor people dwelling in the forest areas notably from the unguarded concession area of the PICOP Resources Inc. covered by Agusan del Sur the Compostela in Davao del Norte.
Timber poaching in critical watershed areas by people identified with the indigenous community is another concerned that is being given serious attention by the DENR.
Reports reaching the office of the DENR Regional Executive Director for Caraga Region Edilberto S. Buiser have indicated that the existence of few illegal mini-sawmill plants along the Bunawan Brooks and Rosario town has lured the natives to resort to illegal cutting of trees to earn few pesos to sustain their livelihood.
According to PENRO Badua , the participation of Governor Plaza and the municipal mayors in the newly-launched “ Save Agusan “ project is a big help in the anti-illegal logging campaign of the DENR in the province.
Director Buiser said the local officials shall lead the anti-illegal logging campaign in their respective area . The mayors, whenever necessary, will be fully supported by a multi-sector group consisting of representatives from the non-government organization, media, Philippine Army , the police , religious and the DENR.
The group has also included the anti-illegal mining activities in its scope of operation.
In a consultative meeting called upon by RED Buiser at his office on January 12, the Provincial Governor and the municipal mayors have committed to share their resources to strengthen the anti-illegal logging and illegal mining operations undertaken by the “Save Agusan” operatives.
The logistic support included vehicles, fuels, oil provided by the provincial government , and a 50-50 split contribution between the LGU and the DENR on the cost of hauling, loading and unloading of confiscated forest products .
Director Buiser said that despite the inclement weather condition , the Save Agusan group has began its operation on January 13 at Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. The group is expected to sweep down in the areas considered as “hot spots” in the remote villages of Bayugan, Sibagat, Esperanza, San Francisco , Rosario , Bunawan, Trento, Sta. Josefa, Talacogon, La Paz , Loreto and San Luis over the next three weeks. (Herzon Gallego, DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
