Rains leave P111M in damage in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—Damages caused by rains in Mindanao have reached P111 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.

The region of Davao was the hardest hit sustaining P71 million worth of damages to agriculture, infrastructure and private properties.

The rains spawned by the tail-end of a cold front the past several days have also increased to nearly 500,000 persons affected in nine provinces in Davao Region, Soccsksargen  and Caraga region.

Classes remained suspended as of Friday morning in several schools in the municipalities of Sto. Tomas, Kapalong, New Corella, Carmen, Asuncion, Dujali and Tagum City in Davao del Norte; Cateel and Baganga in Davao Oriental; Compostela, Monkayo, Motevista and New Bataan in Compostela Valley; and Davao City in Davao del Sur as classrooms were still submerged in water.

Still evacuated in shelters were 56,158 families or 215,075 persons.

Death toll remained at nine with three people still missing.

Meanwhile, two bridges and six roads in Davao region and Caraga remained impassable, the NDRRMC also said.