Surigao City Disaster Coordinating Council to recommend to Sangguniang Panlungsod to place city under state of calamity
BUTUAN CITY (15 January) – The Surigao City Disaster Coordinating Council will recommend to Sangguniang Panlungsod to place the city under state of calamity.
This was reported by Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra in a phone-patch interview this morning with dxBR-Bombo Radyo-Butuan.
According to Mayor Casurra, during the meeting conducted yesterday (January 14), members of the City Disaster Coordinating Council of Surigao City filed a resolution to recommend to Sangguninag Panlungsod to place the city under state of calamity.
Mayor Casurra added that during the SP session this afternoon, the said resolution will be submitted. However, Casurra said, Sangguniang Panlungsod assured him that the said resolution will be approved.
As to the damage brought by continuous heavy rains and wind which started Saturday evening (January 10), Casurra said, the city and the province of Surigao del Norte experienced more damages in agricultural aspect. He said majority of its rice fields were flooded. “What is sad here is that, majority of the farmers have just planted the crops last November”, he said.
Meanwhile, Casurra said, as of press time, sea vessels from main land Surigao City are prohibited to travel to different islands of the province of Surigao del Norte due to strong wind and waves.
With this, Cassura added that the city and provincial governments are requesting the Philippine Army for the use of its chopper to bring foods and other basic commodities to 21 barangay-islands of the province.
“Many passengers are also stranded at the Lipata Port as of this morning since owners of RORO vessels were advised to cancel their operation”, he said.
“As soon as the city will be placed under state of calamity, we can immediately use the calamity fund so that we can immediately purchase grains to replace the crops that were damaged”, Mayor Casurra disclosed. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
RDCC-Caraga gives updates on the effects of continuous heavy rains in the region
BUTUAN CITY (15 January) - The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)-Caraga headed by RDCC Executive Officer and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong updates public thru their situation report as of today on the affected areas in the region caused by the continuous heavy rains in the region.
In a written report sent to PIA-Caraga, flood occurred in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte due to rise of water level of Lake Mainit. Water level of Agusan River also continues to rise and the Butuan City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) is closely monitoring the situation.
Also, storm surge affected some areas of Dinagat Islands, which destroyed fishing boats and motor bancas, few houses and structures along coastal areas particularly those situated in the northwest coastal municipalities.
As of 8:50 in the evening on January 12, 2008, coastal waters in Barangay Abangan, Barangay San Juan, and Barangay Punta in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte rose to three inches high. Big waves are being experienced by these barangays. Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) together with RESPOND Inc. prepared the residents for evacuation.
Meanwhile, in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, water level of Tago River rose to four feet which caused flooding in Barangay Libas Sud, Barangay Baras, and Barangay San Roque. Also the six Barangays like Barangay Poblacion, Libas Gua, Maragoyong, Tina, Patong, Bolhoon, and Maitum were partially flooded. People living in these barangays were alerted for possible evacuation.
It was also reported that roads leading to the flooded barangays are not passable to small vehicles while the Rivers and creeks in swell triggered flooding in some barangays of Agusan del Sur. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
RDCC-Caraga reports damage brought by continuous rains in the region
BUTUAN CITY (15 January) – In a written report by Caraga Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) sent to PIA-Caraga as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday (January 14), the damages brought by continuous rains in the region is estimated at about 12.4 million pesos.
In the infrastructure, damages in roads and bridges is estimated at Php 3,330,000. This affects the roads and bridges in Agusan del Sur.
In the Province of Dinagat Islands, the wharf in the municipality of Libjo costs Php 300,000. The seawall in the municipality of Tubajon which costs 1 million pesos was also damaged. Accumulated amount of damages in fishing and pump boats of the province is estimated at Php 2,146,000 while in Surigao del Norte, the report posted Php 65,000 in the municipality of Burgos.
Meanwhile, in agriculture, a total of Php 6,826,828.5 was reported by RDCC with crops topping the list amounting to Php 4,767,330.5 while livestock posted at Php 710,100.
The Province of Agusan del Sur, particularly in the municipality of Rosario is estimated to Php 1,249,398 damage in crops while the Province of Dinagat Islands accumulates an amount of Php 100,000.
In Surigao del Norte, the municipalities of Burgos, del Carmen, Pilar, San Benito, San Isidro, and Sta. Monica were greatly affected and incurred a damage in crops amounting to Php 3,417,932.54.
As of press time, local Disaster Coordinating Councils continue to monitor the water level of Agusan River and its tributaries. People living along the coast and near riverbanks are on red alert for possible evacuation.
RDCC Rapid Assessment Team, on the other hand, convened to assess the extent of damage brought about by the successive heavy rains, while the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Agusan del Surn Chapter is currently conducting relief operations. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
State of calamity set to declare in Surigao City, city dad asks army to assist victims in island
SURIGAO CITY (15 January) - Mayor Alfonso Casurra, City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) chairman, mobilized all government resources to assist the over a hundred families affected by the flashfloods caused by continuous rains in the past few days.
Mayor Casurra convened the CDCC yesterday afternoon, Jan. 14 and upon recommendation of the CDCC, the Sangguniang Panlungsod is set to declare the city under a state of calamity.
As of yesterday, Jan. 14, 2009, Brgy. San Juan reported an estimated P500,000.00 damage with 103 number of evacuees while14 houses were totally destroyed and 52 houses were partially damaged.
Widespread of farmlands and fishponds were reported damaged by the City Agriculture Office, to wit: rice amounted to P424,800.00, root crops P1,275,000.00, fish pond P220,000.00, fish coral P1, 920,000.00, seaweed P150,000.00 while dam and main canals amounted to 870,000.00. Total damage reported in agriculture amounted to P4,859,800.00
Records from the City Engineering Office, the agency tasked to monitor the infrastructure in the city, reported major damages in roads particularly in the City Boulevard amounted to P750,000.00, Sitio Looc P100,000.00, Roland Sering road P200,000.00, some city streets P150,000.00, Calipayan road P100,000.00, Bagong Silang road P100,000.00, Upper Sangay road P200,000.00, Entrance of SCBJT P300,000.00, Sitio Tumanday road P100,000.00, Punta Bilar road P500,000.00 and Togonan road P300,000.00. Total damage in infrastructure amounted to P2,800.000.00..
Also, following the cancellation of the RORO vessels and other sea vessels operating from the mainland Surigao City to different islands of the province, Mayor Casurra in an interview with a local radio station in Butuan said that the city and provincial government of Surigao del Norte are requesting the Philippine Army for the use of its chopper to bring foods and other basic commodities to 21 island-barangays in the city.
Meanwhile, the Quick Action Response Team in the city is now closely coordinating with Mayor Casurra and the CDCC not only in matters of security but also in assisting the victims and monitoring other flashflood incidences. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
2 Agusan del Sur municipalities declared under “state of calamity”
AGUSAN DEL SUR (15 January) - Some 11,527 families or 43,650 persons from 65 barangays were affected by floods due to continue heavy and moderate rainfall that hit Agusan del Sur since Saturday evening, January 10.
The municipalities of Sta. Josefa and Veruela already declared they are in State of Calamity.
According to report submitted to the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council thru the Provincial Disaster Management Office, the municipality of Esperanza has the highest affected barangays having a record of 27, followed by the municipalities of Veruela and Rosario having eight barangays each. The rest of the 10 municipalities and the City of Bayugan ranges from two to seven barangays. Accordingly, all reports are only updates and partial while actual assessments are on going.
Partial report from the municipalities of Sta. Josefa, Rosario, Talacogon, Trento and Esperanza said that some P1.5 million worth of damages to agriculture were already recorded. San Francisco also reported six barangay roads already under water, while Prosperidad reported three.
A portion of national highway in barangay Bonbon, Sibagat town, was damaged, allowing only one lane passage to commuters. DPWH has already responded to address the problem.
The Provincial Disaster Management Office is in 24-hour red alert monitoring the worsening situation while continued rainfall is still on going.
The Provincial Relief team headed by Josefina Bajade of the PSWDO and the PNRC Agusan del Sur chapter is also at present distributing relief goods to the flood victims. (David M. Suyao, PIA-Agusan del Sur)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on the rescue of persons onboard a drifted pumpboat
On January 13, 2009 (Tuesday) at 7:00 in the evening, victims identified as Ulysses Amistoso, 38 years old and Juriven Almine, 18 years old, both residents of Barangay Sabang, Surigao City were rescued at Sitio Mahayahay, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
Initial investigation disclosed that said persons sailed towards Leyte Province from Surigao City to deliver their product (seaweeds) on December 28, 2008.
When they sailed home on January 11, 2008 (Sunday) at 6:00 pm and while at the sea water of San Ricardo, Leyte, their pumpboat encountered engine trouble causing them to adrift for several days until they reached Sitio Mahayahay, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.
Rescued persons temporarily house at the residence of Barangay Councilor Dumo of said place, while their relatives in Surigao City have been informed regarding their status. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal drugs
On January 14, 2009 (Wednesday) at 3:00 in the morning at Purok-13, Sitio Hagonoyon, Barangay Afga, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, composite team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 13 led by Regional Director Atty Joel Quiriones; personnel of Sibagat Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Cecilio Enoc; 23rd IB Phil Army personnel led by CAPT Luzelito Betinio and Barangay Officials with Barangay Tanods of Barangay Afga, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur conducted operation against illegal drugs which resulted to the arrest of suspects identified as Diosdado Galo, 35 years old and resident of said place; Sandy Yaugan and Joel Semacio.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were uprooted suspected MJ roots and suspected MJ leaves and one Nokia cell phone.
Suspects were brought to PDEA-13 Regional Office, Libertad, Butuan City for proper disposition. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted person
On January 14, 2009 (Wednesday) at 11:00 in the morning at Purok-10, Barangay Doongan, Butuan City, tracker team of Butuan City Police Station 2 led by SPO2 Advincula apprehended the suspect identified as Fernando Ybasco, 27 years old, married and resident of said place by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) under CC number 37457 for the crime of theft issued by Hon Judge James V Go of MTCC Branch 2, Libertad, Butuan City dated December 18, 2008 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 12,000.00 for his temporary liberty.
Subject person is now detained at Butuan City Police Station 2 for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
