Thousands flee homes as flooding hits Dapitan

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Thousands of residents in Dapitan City have been evacuated to higher and safer grounds after heavy rains since Wednesday night flooded at least 12 villages.

Alemario Dagpin, secretary of Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, said that of the 12 villages, hardest hit was Barangay Ilaya where floodwaters had reached the roofs of houses.

But Dagpin said no one was reported hurt or killed as residents were able to evacuate before the floods swallowed their communities.

The floods reached as deep as 10 feet in some areas.

In Ilaya, at least 4,000 people were moved to schools and churches. In the village of Uyan, the evacuees evacuated to the national highway because the schools and village hall were also under water.

Also flooded were Barangays Crusher, Barcelona, Burgos, Silangon, Tamion, Diwaan, Maria Uray, Upao, Polo and Bitoon.

Councilor Apple Agolong said military and police trucks continue to ferry residents out of the flooded villages.

“There was no typhoon, just heavy rain,” Agolong told the  Inquirer by phone. “This is the first time that this happened,” she said.

Agolong said some residents had evacuated to higher grounds while some were still being rescued as of 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Agolong added that the city social welfare office has also distributed relief goods to the displaced residents.

Parts of Mindanao and Visayas have been struck by one disaster after another. Last

Dec. 17, the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro were struck by floods and killer logs that killed nearly 2,000 people. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao