By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY — The trough of the Low-Pressure Area (LPA) on Friday has brought continued light to heavy rains in Davao region, prompting local authorities to suspend classes and implement pre-emptive evacuation.
Leslie Francisco, information officer of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-11, said two minor landslides were reported in the villages of Sibahay and Poblacion in Boston town, Davao Oriental.
Minimal river flooding of Mahan-ub River in Baganga town, Davao Oriental was also reported.
Francisco said a pre-emptive evacuation was implemented for five families in the village of Abejod in Baganga.
As this developed, the Davao Oriental provincial information office reported that Governor Nelson Dayanghirang already ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to continue monitoring areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
Karen Deloso, provincial information officer, said the government has also responded to clear roads affected by the landslide in Boston.
Deloso said a team from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has cleared areas affected in Sibajay while the Provincial Engineering Office was tasked to clear areas in the town proper, both in Boston town.
Deloso said Governor Dayanghirang also ordered to closely monitor the water level of the Aragon Dam in Cateel town which has reached alert level at 19.2 meters in mid-afternoon.
The provincial disaster council will implement an evacuation should the dam’s water level reach 21 meters.
In Compostela Valley province, authorities have suspended classes in the elementary level in the towns of Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, Mawab, New Bataan and Maco.
On Friday afternoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has raised an Orange Alert in Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte, warning of possible flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in the mountain.
