MindanaoToday.coom | Bad weather destroys 144 houses in Normin
By: Uriel Quilinguing
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Inclement weather due to southwest monsoon and trough of tropical storm Bebinca late last week damaged 144 houses in Northern Mindanao, the Office of Civil Defense Regional Office 10 (OCD-10) reported on Tuesday, September 17.
Aside from destruction to dwellings, heavy rains triggered floodings, gales created storm surges, and a whirlwind caused panic among residents, forcing over 13 hundred families in 22 villages to seek safer grounds, including 355 individuals who ended up in six evacuation centers.
Antonio Sugarol, the OCD-10 head who chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Northern Mindanao, said structural damage was placed at P857,800 since most were made of light materials. Sixteen of the 144 houses were totally damaged valued at P150 thousand.
The OCD-10 report indicated that Lanao del Norte had 68 damaged residential structures, 47 of which in Sultan Naga Dipaporo town due to a whirlwind that hit the village of Dableston about 4 a.m. on Friday, September 13. Nearby Sapad municipality also had eight damaged houses.
Since last week, Camiguin was endlessly lashed by strong winds and powerful waves that damaged 57 houses: 51 in Mambajao, five in Sagay and one in Mahinog towns. Most areas in the island province had no electricity for several hours, some roads were impassable due to felled trees, classes were suspended for a day.
The Philippine Coast Guard also suspended trips to and from Camiguin seaports. Flights to and from Camiguin were also called off.
Misamis Oriental reported of 14 damaged houses, 11 of these in Tagoloan’s coastal areas, while Misamis Occidental had six shelters that needed repairs.
The OCD-10 report also detailed the 2,309 affected population in Northern Mindanao: 1,929 in Misamis Oriental, 227 in Lanao del Norte, 113 in Camiguin, and 30 in Misamis Occidental. A total of 248 residents of Misamis Oriental’s coastal villages spent days in evacuation centers.
OCD-10, backed by local governments, assisted all affected residents with food and non-food items, particularly the 355 individuals who took temporary shelter in six evacuation centers.
A copy of the OCD-10 report was sent to the administrator of OCD, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno who is also the executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). (Uriel Quilinguing/MT)
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