ZAMBOANGA CITY–A total of 193 families were displaced by flash floods that inundated three barangays late Friday in this city due to inclement weather condition enhanced by Typhoon “Ompong.”
Ma. Socorro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, on Saturday said the city government immediately provided assistance to the affected families.
Rojas said of the total affected families, 110 were from Barangay Tumaga, 75 in Sta. Maria, and eight in Tugbungan. They were temporarily sheltered at the covered court of the three barangays.
The eight affected families from Tugbungan were rescued by the Coastguard personnel since they were trapped by high waters in their houses.
“We have to prioritize rescuing the elderly, women and children who were trapped in their houses. There were also sick people, who cannot walk, which we need to rescue and turn them over to medical responders in the area to avoid further casualties,” Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station Commander, said.
The Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga experienced moderate to occasionally heavy rains coupled with strong winds brought about by the southwest monsoon that the weather PAGASA said was enhanced by Typhon “Ompong.”
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) have been directed to continue monitoring the situation and to initiate response if the need arises. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
