Flood-hit town in Cotabato under state of calamity

Cotabato map | INQUIRER.net

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato, Philippines — A flash flood that hit almost all 27 barangays of Magpet, Cotabato, on Wednesday last week wrought severe damage to crops, roads, and bridges, prompting the municipal council to place the town under a state of calamity.

Vice Mayor Rogelio Marañon said the council approved the declaration during a special session last week to allow the release of the town’s 30-percent quick response fund (QRF) to aid farmers whose crops were destroyed and for the immediate repair of public infrastructure.

Marañon said the council approved the release of at least P6-million QRF for the second quarter to be used in the repair of major roads in Barangay Poblacion and other villages which were damaged by flash floods and landslides.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management council (MDRRMC) reported that at least P5 million worth of crops, including newly planted rice seedlings and bananas, were damaged by the recent flooding, triggered by heavy rain which caused the Marbel and Kabacan Rivers to overflow.

According to the MDRRMC, more than P10 million worth of bridges and concrete roads were washed away by rampaging floodwaters. Marañon said even the dikes along the banks of the Kabacan River were destroyed.

—WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA

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