By Edwin Fernandez/ Philippine News Agency
PIKIT, North Cotabato – Relief workers from North Cotabato hastened the distribution of relief goods to families affected by floods due to torrential rains brought about by the southwest monsoon in Mindanao.
Tahira Kalantongan, municipal disaster management officer, said on Monday (Sept. 13) that over 21,000 individuals were displaced by floods that submerged 31 of 42 barangays since last Friday (Sept. 10).
“Generally, water has receded but there are villages that are still underwater,” Kalantongan said in an interview with reporters.
She said not all affected families reported to their office have been evacuated.
“Some stayed at home and waited for the water to lessen while others moved temporarily to houses of neighbors or relatives nearby,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sumulong Sultan said rescue workers are on standby round-the-clock to respond to emergencies.
“Our rescue workers are working on shifts to monitor the situation of every barangay,” he said in a separate interview.
Sultan said the affected families were also given livelihood assistance like agricultural inputs so they could restart farming when the water receded.
He added the municipal agriculture office is still assessing the impact of the floods on farmers and the cost of damages they incurred during the calamity. (PNA)
