Hundreds more are still to be rescued, says
Butuan CDRRMC chief
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – City Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chief Grace Espere bared that
hundreds more are still to be rescued from the areas affected by flooding
caused by Tropical Depression (TD) Agaton.
“Hundreds of individuals are still to be rescued
in areas near the riverbanks here in the city. We should rescue them as soon as
possible as the water in Agusan River continues to rise. We should not delay
the help that they need from us,” said Espere.
As of 10:00 p.m. on January 20, the CDRRMC has
rescued some 200 individuals in barangay Baan. The rescuers lasted its search
and rescue operation until dawn of January 21.
Espere also revealed that of the 86 barangays in
the city, nine are recorded as landslide-prone barangays while the rest are
prone to flooding/flashfloods. "We should really take precautionary
measures the fact that we know our place is prone to flashfloods and
landslides," she added.
Espere further mentioned that she had already
lobbied to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to put into ordinance the
implementation of preemptive evacuation to residents living near the
riverbanks. "If this will be put into law, those flood affected
residents/individuals who will refuse to cooperate and take action will be
penalized. We wanted to secure them as early as possible especially in times
like this," she stressed.
Meanwhile, rescue operation is still ongoing
today in areas which include the barangays Baan Riverside and Buhangin. Mayor
Ferdinand Amante Jr. also personally checked and secured the flood victims in
areas affected. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
TD Agaton incurs big damage to agri, infra in
Butuan
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – Due to floodings
caused by Tropical Depression Agaton, the damage to agriculture and
infrastructure in the city now reached to P31,792,750.
The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) revealed
that damages of agriculture now reached to P16,985,750, while infrastructure
damage is at P14,807,000 said City Engr. Lorden Vismanos.
A total of 1,775 hectares of rice field worth
P15,825,750; 50 hectares of corn area
worth P500,00.00; 30 hectares of banana area worth P300,000.00; and 24 hectares
of vegetable area worth 360,000.00 was recorded by the CAO.
Meantime, the city suspended classes in all
levels of both public and private schools including work in public and private
institutions and banks as per Proclamation Number 7 on Monday, January 20.
Also, per Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution Number 004-2014, the city was
declared under a state of calamity due to the effects and damages caused by the
low pressure area on January 12. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan CDRRMC explains local flood warning
system
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – This city’s
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chief Grace Espere
bared the meaning of each alert level being raised especially during the sudden
rise of water level in Agusan River.
“People should have this information so that
they themselves will know ahead what to prepare for and be able to take
action,” said Espere.
The local color-coded or flood alert scheme also
intends to help the public prepare for the possibility of massive flooding in
Agusan River, the third largest river basin in the country.
Espere explained that when water level in Agusan
River is below 2 meters, it is still considered as normal and the council is in
Code White.
When water level reaches at 2 meters, it is
already Code Blue or Alert Level 1, wherein the council prepares for possible
evacuation of residents living near the riverbanks. In this alert level, a
flood warning is also issued.
“It becomes Alert Level 2 or Code Yellow when
the water reaches at 2.50 meters. In this level, selective evacuation is
applied and the council will have to activate its evacuation center and
evacuation unit. The task units will also be in full mobilization,” added
Espere.
Meanwhile, Alert Level 3 or Code Red is when the
water level reaches at three meters. In this level, forced evacuation will be
implemented, as well as the search and rescue of flood victims.
Espere further reminded the public not to get
panic but rather stay alert and vigilant in times of disasters and give their
full cooperation to the orders of its local DRRMCs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Naval Forces reinforce for rescue operations in
Butuan City
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The Naval Forces
Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) in Davao on Monday has ordered the navy personnel based
in Naspit, Agusan del Norte to proceed to Butuan City to extend assistance in
rescuing the flood-affected residents.
This was an outcome of the coordination
initiated by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner
Caga, in cooperation with the Samahang Magdalo Balanghai Chapter represented by
Michael Leo Torralba, with the Caraga Regional Diaster Risk Reduction
Management Council chaired by Office of the Civil Defense Caraga regional
director Liza Mazo.
“In events like this when extreme weather
creates a detrimental effect to lives and properties, we have to engage with
our linkages in order to hasten the operation to help our affected fellowmen,”
said Caga.
In a quick response for reinforcement, Lt. Glen
de Luna of naval intel group said that they have dispatched the responding team
composed of 15 navy personnel led by commander Primitivo Novo upon urgent
request for their support in rescue operations.
The navy team has geared up to respond utilizing
their speed boat for an extensive rescue operation in barangay Buhangin, Butuan
City, where many residents are still trapped in deep-flooded areas.
They have initially rescued 27 persons and more
will be transported to evacuation centers with the ongoing rescue operation.
“The
Samahang Magdalo Balanghai Chapter will be resorting to have direct
coordination with the operations unit of NFEM Davao to ensure that the needing
public are moved out from a dangerous situation to safe temporary shelters,”
declared Torralba.
PIA Caraga has been disseminating updates on the
situation of the victims/evacuees and coordinating with other concerned
government agencies for immediate response. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
TD Agaton left 7 persons dead, 27 injured,
thousands affected
By David M. Suyao
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 21
(PIA) - Tropical depression (TD) Agaton left seven persons dead, 27 injured and
thousands affected in the entire province.
In a partial report submitted by the Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction Council (RDRRMC), died by drowning were identified as
Emerlinda Artajo, 48 years old; Liza Moreno, 29 years old, both from Campo 4,
Bunawan, Agusan del Sur; Felix Aspa from Barangay Napo, Prosperidad and Ana Marie
Noble Ocite, 2 years old from Barangay Caimpogan, San Francisco. Died due to
landslide were Ceferino Garcia, 52 years old and Isagani Defello 32, both from
Rosario town and Edong Pastor, 52 years old of Barangay Waloe, Loreto.
Of the 27 injured, almost all suffer from
punctured and lacerated wounds on the feet. Only five came from San Francisco
while the rest came from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
According to the same PDRRMC report, of the 13
municipalities and a lone City of Bayugan, only five municipalities have
submitted their partial reports.
On the partial reports of the affected families
by TD Agaton submitted as of January 20, 2014, the municipality of Rosario
reported that 401 families or 2,005 persons were affected in two barangays.
Bunawan has also reported 5,589 families or 23,724 persons were affected while
Loreto reported 933 families affected and San Francisco has recorded 4,011 families
or 14,081 persons affected.
In an emergency meeting held at the PDRRMC
Command Center on Monday, a resolution was filed requesting Gov. Adolph Edward
Plaza thru the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare the entire province under State of Calamity. Another resolution
by the PDRRMC was also passed requesting the governor to declare suspension of
all classes in all level while no work in the provincial capitol be imposed
except those whose services are needed in time of calamity.
Since the start of the TD “Agaton” activities in
the province, local government units (LGUs), the Search and Rescue Agusan del
Sur (SARAS) from the provincial and municipal levels has been on 24 hour alert
status and are ready to respond to any call of emergency. LGUs have also
started distributing relief goods to the affected families. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
7,253 families in Surigao Sur affected by TD Agaton
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – Around 7,253
families were affected due to flashfloods in Surigao del Sur brought about by
Tropical Depression Agaton, an official from the Provincial Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM) office said.
PDRRMO supervising specialist Abel de Guzman
said that out of 7,253 affected families, 5,033 families were temporarily
housed at the different evacuation centers since Jan 19.
"The municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan,
Cortes, Hinatuan, Tago, Carmen, San Agustin, Lingig, Lianga, San Miguel,
Cagwait, Bayabas, Barobo and two cities of Bislig and Tandag were flooded for
almost two days. As of 6AM today, the floodwaters have already subsided except
those in the barangays of Tago and San Miguel," de Guzman said.
He said that the roads in Barobo and
Unaban-Gamut, Tago, Surigao del Sur were also submerged in floodwaters and were
not passable to all types of vehicles.
De Guzman said some roads which were reportedly
flooded yesterday are now passable to all types of vehicles, "except the
road from Tagbina going to Hinatuan, which are still flooded."
(NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Surigao City distributes relief goods to 371
families
By Darryl P. Pinabacdao
SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The city
government of Surigao thru the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD)
distributed on Monday relief goods to 371 families or 899 individuals who were
affected by flooding caused by Low Pressure Area (previously Tropical
Depression Agaton).
The team visited all the different evacuation
centers such as the Washington Gym, Barangay Luna Hall, Livelihood Training and
Productivity Center Bldg, Surigao City High School, Caraga Regional Science
High School and Capitol Building.
Each pack contains rice, noodles, cans of
sardines and bottles of mineral waters.
CSWD Officer Gloria Salvador said the total cost
of materials and assistance extended to all evacuees has reached up to P40,000.
(DPP/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DSWD-13 extends P.8M worth of assistance to
Agsur flood victims
By Maria Cecilia N. Sosas
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Caraga has released around P805,950
worth of assistance to the flood victims of the three towns in Agusan del Sur
recently.
DSWD regional director Minda Brigoli on Tuesday
morning personally visited to the municipalities Esperanza, Talacogon and San
Francisco, which were hardly hit by Tropical Depression Agaton.
She was able to talk to Municipal Mayor Deo
Manpatilan, Jr. of Esperanza as the place is submerged in water. Brigoli
immediately ordered the regional office to release P805, 950.00 which includes
3,000 family packs to the affected families.
She also directed the DSWD field workers to help
the operations in the Local Government Units (LGUs). (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
126 individuals volunteer for DSWD packing of
relief goods
By Stella Maris V. Barcelon
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - One hundred
twenty-six individuals volunteered today for the packing of DSWD relief goods
in barangay Tiniwisan, this city Sixty-eight of them are staff and scholars of
Butuan City Congressman Law Fortun and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, 18
are from the Mormons’ Church while 40 private individuals also volunteered in
the packing of relief goods.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) Field Office Caraga aims to reach 31,000 family packs ready to be
augmented to requesting local government units (LGUs).
The Field Office continues to receive requests
for relief augmentation from different LGUs. To date, the office has released
14,912 family packs worth P4,092,419.12 to 13 LGUs. A total of 5,000 family
packs are to be delivered to the municipalities of Agusan del Sur namely
Esperanza with 3,000 family packs, San Francisco with 1,000 family packs,
Bayugan City with 500 family packs and Rosario with 500 family packs.
DSWD Field Office Quick Response Team with three
shifts in a day together with the Municipal Action Teams (MAT) leaders,
community based-workers, and project-based staff continues to monitor the
situation on 24-hour basis. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
Recognizing excellence, launching dreams
MAKATI CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The Metrobank
Foundation (MBFI), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and
the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), have launched the 30th Search for
Outstanding Teachers (SOT). The 2014 Search coincides with the 35th anniversary
of MBFI. With the theme, “Launching Dreams towards Nation Building”, the Search
honors the teaching profession specifically those who manifest commitment to
the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable
dedication to their work, and effective educational leadership. Since its
launch in 1984, the Search has awarded a total of 326 educators all over the
Philippines.
Joining the Search is easy. Teachers just need
to submit a two-page Basic Information Sheet (BIS) with no additional documents
required. The Search is open to all teachers in the elementary, secondary, and
higher education levels in both public and private schools throughout the
country. Possible candidates should be Filipino citizen who are actively
teaching in the country for the last 10 years and with valid PRC license.
For the Elementary competition, schools are
entitled to nominate two nominees, one each from the primary (Kinder to Grade
III) and intermediate (Grade IV to Grade VI), while schools for secondary and
higher education competition are entitled to one nominee, respectively. Past
Regional Finalists and National Finalists of the Search, who meet the basic
eligibility requirements and have shown sustained good moral standing in the
community, are deemed automatic Provincial Finalists.
Good News! Cash prize for each of the ten
winners is increased from Php350,000.00 last year to Php 0.5 Million this year.
The awardees will also receive a medal, a trophy, and a plaque of recognition
for their school. National Finalists not chosen as winners will receive Php20,
000.00 cash while Regional Finalists will get Php10, 000.00 cash incentive.
The deadline for submission of the BIS to the
MBFI Secretariat or to the nearest Metrobank branch in your area is on/or
before January 27, 2014. Basic Information Sheets are now available in all
Metrobank branches, DepEd regional and division offices, and CHED regional
offices nationwide. Eligible applicants will then be asked to submit the
official nomination forms on February 21st. The forms may also be downloaded
through the Metrobank Foundation website at www.mbfoundation.org.ph. For
further details, please call the MBFI Secretariat at tel. nos. (02) 857-0618 /
898-8898; telefax: (02) 818-5656/750-0837; or e-mail:
idlabitad@metrobank.com.ph; or aareyes@metrobank.com.ph. (MBFI/PIA-Caraga)
