COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Five people died as torrential rains and ensuing floods hit North Cotabato and Maguindanao in Mindanao the past days, disaster officials said.
In Maguindanao, at least 10 municipalities surrounding the Liguasan marshland have been flooded for a week now due incessant rains.
Last week, three persons drowned in Libungan and Pikit, both in North Cotabato due to strong river currents.
Roberto Argoncillo and his brother Rommel drowned in Libungan River in North Cotabato. Their bodies were recovered off the Liguasan marshland in Maguindanao.
Rudy Aperdo of Pikit, North Cotabato also drowned while crossing the Pagalungan river.
Ugka Unos and his brother Ramos also drowned in Malitubog River in Carmen town in North Cotabato. The two along with another man, boat operator Magki Katog, were cruising the Malitubog River on Sunday when they were washed away by rampaging waters.
The Unos brothers’ remains were found downstream in Pikit town. Katog survived, a local official said.
Floodwaters destroyed rice and corn fields in the towns of Carmen, Pikit and Kabacan in North Cotabato and Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao.
Social Welfare Secretary Pombain Karon Kadir of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said about 8,000 families, or 56,000, persons were affected by flooding in Pagalungan and Montawal.
About 15 elementary and high school compounds were flooded, forcing education officials to delay the opening of classes scheduled Monday.
In Kabuntalan, Maguindanao, Mayor Ramil Dilangalen said six houses were washed away by floodwaters in the village of Gayunga on Saturday.
About five schools were also flooded in Kabuntalan, a remote town situated beside Rio Grande de Mindanao.
In Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, about 1,000 of the more than 1,400 families from Barangay Kuyog were evacuated by disaster officials after flood water hit the village from Alla River.
The affected families, mostly farmers, are now housed at Barangay Sadsalan gymnasium.
Portions of the national highway in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao were closed to traffic early Monday morning due to floods.