The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) passed a resolution asking the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte to place the province under state of calamity due to flashfloods caused by intermittent rains which have affected 3,000 families in 38 low-lying barangays of seven towns in the province.
Those hit by flashfloods include the Tagum City, and the towns of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, and Talaingod in District 1 and the towns of B.E. Dujali and Sto. Tomas in District 2.
Initial reports showed P12-million worth of crops and livestocks as well as P11-million worth of infrastructures were destroyed by the floods since December 31, 2010.
One person also died in Barangay Bobongon, Sto. Tomas town, which was heavily hit by the flashfloods. The fatality was Eserio Daniel, 47, who drowned when he tried to save his family at the height of the floods on New Year’s day.
Acting Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr. said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was expected to take up the matter in its January 10 session.
The declaration will allow the province to utilize its calamity fund amounting to P39.305 million for the distribution of relief goods, assistance to the victims and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures.
However, PDRRMC executive officer and provincial social welfare and development officer Arlene Semblante, citing provisions of the new Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, clarified that only 30 percent of the local calamity fund shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for the relief and recovery programs.
She said 70 percent of the local calamity fund is set aside for disaster risk management activities such as pre-disaster management preparedness programs and trainings, purchase of life-saving rescue equipment, supplies and medicines and post-disaster activities, among others.
She also assured the province is eligible to declare a state of calamity after three LGUs were already placed under a state of calamity, namely; Sto. Tomas, New Corella and Talaingod.
Semblante also cited the local government code which requires that at least two or more LGUs have made such declaration before the province can declare a state of calamity.
Aside from flashfloods, the tribal municipality of Talaingod was also placed under state of calamity because of the outbreak of measles.
Provincial health officer Agapito Hornido said 50 suspected cases of measles were reported in Talaingod and Kapalong.
However, as of January 5, 2011, there were only 17 cases of the disease that were confirmed, according to him.
The epidemic prompted the health executive to urge the PDRRMC to likewise pass a resolution for the creation of an anti-measles inter-provincial cooperation with the neighboring province of Bukidnon, where the outbreak started.
Dr. Hornido said the province, through the provincial health office had already sent IV fluids and other medicines for the measles victims in Talaingod and Kapalong along with some assistance from the department of health (DOH)-11.
Meanwhile, PSupt. Jessie Estrada informed the Council that Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada have pledged to extend assistance to the victims of flashfloods in the province, which will be coursed through the concerned local chief executives.
