Christmas Day Holiday Rescue in Northern Mindanao As Flooding Continues

Christmas did not come easy to some local government units in Northern Mindanao as they welcomed the supposed most joyous event of the year by rescuing stranded residents amid flooding in many parts of the region over the weekend.

In Misamis Occidental province, Gov. Henry Oaminal has called on local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) units to expand their operations to the affected barangays and urged the public to go to evacuation centers if they live in danger zones.

“Please support the designated evacuation centers because it’s for everyone’s welfare, and don’t worry in your stay because the provincial government is ready to provide your needs,” he said during a press briefing Sunday.

Initial reports from Region 10 DRRM Council (RDRRMC-10) showed that the town of Jimenez evacuated 2,274 residents, or 454 families while 124 residents of 51 families from Sinacaban also went to evacuation centers.

The town of Sinacaban also reported infrastructure damage worth PHP280,000 from power lines and water system pipelines.

The city government of Oroquieta and the towns of Calamba, Aloran, and Tudela have yet to submit their evacuation figures.

Ozamiz City has also reported flooding in some city streets and barangays.

In an interview, JC Montes, who works in Zamboanga del Sur, said he has yet to contact his brother for updates in Barangay Ospital, Aloran, Misamis Occidental, as they were left without power.

He was informed that their family home was devastated by the Christmas Eve flood.

Xenia Dando, a resident of Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, said rain started pouring continuously as early as Dec.23 in the town proper.

“It has been raining for a week in the hinterland barangays, some are already part of Tudela town. Farmers usually sell their vegetable produce in our market but lately, they only had fewer supplies because they said it was because of the continuous rains,” she said.

Misamis Oriental, Iligan

Meanwhile, in the province of Misamis Oriental, the initial report from RDRRMC-10 showed that six affected LGUs evacuated their residents.

Most evacuees are from Gingoog City, with 1,380 residents or 553 families; while the town of Talisayan has 483 residents or 130 families.

Other LGUs included Magsaysay, Balingoan, Balingasag and El Salvador City.

In a special session on Sunday, the Gingoog City Council passed Resolution No. 2022-361, declaring the city under the State of Calamity.

In a press briefing, Mayor Erick Cañosa said the local DRRM office has reported damage to the coastal infrastructure and also urged the affected public to seek refuge in evacuation centers.

“All our barangays and functionaries, as well as volunteers, are urged to continue helping the affected families,” he said.

In Iligan City, Mayor Frederick Siao issued an advisory mandating its local DRRM office and barangays to remain vigilant as rescue operations are conducted in some flooded communities.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 10 has provided more than PHP8.4 million of family food packs, or 12,856 boxes.

It also has a standby fund amounting to PHP7.3 million.