Tubod, Lanao del Norte – More than 700 families received relief goods from the provincial government of Lanao del Norte after heavy rains flooded 3 of its coastal towns here last January 2. Hardest hit by the flooding are Lala, Baroy and the capital town of Tubod.

Lala had 5 barangays affected, Baroy had 4, and Tubod had 4 barangays flooded.

“We have been monitoring the situation since Sunday after rains did not let up for 2 days. We alerted our rescue teams and local officials to activate their contingency plans should there be a need for massive evacuation”, disclosed Information Officer Lyndon Calica.

Municipal officials in the low laying areas immediately dispatched food packs containing rice, noodles and sardines.

As of presstime, 928 families have been identified by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) as flood victims.  According to initial reports received by PSWDO, there are 12 totally damaged houses and 19 partially damaged homes in the 13 affected barangays.

“We are augmenting the assistance given to these families by distributing relief goods in the flooded towns. Each relief package contains rice, sardines, noodles, beef loaf, mat, blanket and cooking pots”, PSWDO Head Annabelle Mendez said.

Minor landslides have also been observed in Brgys. Lapinig and Dunggoan in Kapatagan. However, these were immediately cleared by DPWH personnel in the area.  

The lone fatality in the calamity was identified as 6-year-old Cristy Jane Celocia whose house was swept away after flood waters overflowed from the Bulod riverbank in Tubod.

Director Carmelito Lupo and his team from the Office of Civil Defense Region 10 were on-site during the distribution of relief packages to monitor and assess the actual field situation.

Relief operations are still on-going as flood victims continue to rebuild their homes after the devastation left by the calamity. VNL/PIO-LDN