Displaced families in Davao Occidental remain in evacuation centers due to continuing rains

MALITA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL — The Davao Occidental disaster official said it could not yet advise displaced families to return home unless the rain stopped to make sure no flash floods would occur.

Harry Camoro, provincial disaster risk reduction management action officer here said they were monitoring all landslide-prone areas in the province, particularly in the towns of Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos.

While tropical depression ‘Chedeng’ has weakened into a low-pressure area as it made landfall in this town, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said scattered to widespread moderate and heavy rains would still be expected to prevail.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said the rains would prevail over Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and portions of Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Pagasa has lifted all tropical cyclone warning signals although Camoro said 471 families were still staying at the evacuation centers. Food packs had been distributed by the municipal social welfare and development office earlier this morning.

Small seacrafts were still advised not to venture out to sea.

In Davao Oriental, Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang has ordered the suspension of classes in all levels of public and private schools and called off work in government offices after the province was placed under Signal Number 1 Tuesday morning.

Dayanghirang issued the memorandum directing the local disaster units to monitor the continuous rainfall for possible flooding and landslides in identified high-risk areas of the province.

Lorenzo Mendoza, the schools division superintendent of the Department of Education in Mati City also made a similar appeal to the school principals.

“Classes in all levels and work in all government and private offices are suspended today until further notice,” Mendoza told the Inquirer. “To all school heads and teachers, please heed the advisory for your security and safety.”