Local government officials in Norala and Tupi towns are considering the declaration of state of calamity in their respective towns to be able to immediately extend assistance to families affected byba twister that struck the villages Monday.
Chairman Ruben Francisco of Barangay Matapol, Norala said he met with the village council yesterday to decide moves to help the families affected and discuss appropriate measures for recovery.
“Six of our seven puroks (sub-villages) were affected by the very strong winds,” Francisco said, affecting at least 43 houses and a chapel.
“Based on our initial estimates, damage was valued at P218,000,” he said. “ Damage to crops, including palay, was estimated at about P100,000.”
Francisco said, they are initially considering giving P1,000 to P5,000 fund aid to affected families.
The twister, according to the village official, tore off roofs of houses and uprooted trees. No lives were lost in the incident.
Besides Matapol, Barangay Simsiman was also struck by the very strong winds around 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, following a heavy downpour.
Reports that reached PIA 12, say that at least 19 houses in Barangay Simsiman sustained damages.
Norala’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) assured assistance to the affected families once the affected villages have submitted their reports.
Meanwhile, Tupi LGU have also promised assistance to the families affected by flashfloods and landslide that occurred in remote Sitio Tucay-el, Barangay Cebuano also on Monday afternoon.
Emil Sumagaysay, disaster coordinator of Tupi MDRRMO, reported that 56 families were affected. One house was totally damaged while 24 other sustained partial damage, several farm animals were also reported lost from the flashflood and landslide in the area.
Sumagaysay said, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Mines and Geoscience Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 12, have already sent personnel to conduct ocular inspection help assess the damage and help the affected villagers.
Tupi LGU is also considering declaration of state of calamity for this part of the municipality as well relocation of families in the area to prevent further damages or loss of lives.
Assistance is also being prepared by the South Cotabato Provincial DRRMO and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-12 for the affected villages in two municipalities.
DSWD 12 Disaster operations focal person Bonifacio Selma said, the department is prepared to extend help to affected families if augmentation to municipal and provincial LGU aid is necessary. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
