Update as of January 20, 2014 | 11pm
This afternoon, the Balay Mindanaw Emergency Response has been activated. As rains brought by Tropical Depression Agaton have been pouring over many parts of Mindanao on-and-off for more than a week, the threat of floods and landslides became very real. We have first reached out to our own staff, family and friends who live in low-lying communities in Cagayan de Oro by offering our Peace Center as an evacuation center. We have also been keeping close coordination with our partner communities in Cagayan de Oro, Surigao del Sur, North Cotabato, Gingoog City and Misamis Oriental in order to monitor their conditions and to supplement ongoing relief operations.
DREAM Team Meeting at the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center
Situation Report
General Situation
As of 10 AM today, Tropical Depression Agaton (International Name: Lingling) has been downgraded to a Low Pressure Area (LPA) and was located 400km east southeast of Davao City according to information from DOST PAG-ASA. Moderate to heavy rains were over many areas of Mindanao. Flood and landslide warnings were placed over low-lying areas and mountainous areas, respectively.
Throughout the day, the water levels of several rivers in Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog City steadily rose. Pre-emptive and/or forced evacuation was done in some areas at high risk for floods.
As of 7:35 PM today, rainfall advisories were terminated by PAG-ASA. However, light to moderate rains are still predicted to fall on several areas in Mindanao. For more details on forecasts per location please check the DOST PAG-ASA reports.
Cagayan de Oro
Since early this morning, there have been heavy on-and-off rains in Cagayan de Oro. Water levels of the Cagayan de Oro River, Iponan River and near Kabula Bridge in Bukidnon have been consistently rising until recently this evening. Landslides have been reported in the Canitoan area. Many roads have been deemed impassable due to the rising water levels, and several alternative routes have been recommended by the CDRRMC. However, this has resulted in heavy traffic in some areas.
Here are details from our partner barangays, who are being monitored and evacuated by their respective BDRRMCs:
| Barangay | Evacuation Center | Number of Families |
| Macasandig (as of 12nn) | Macasandig Elementary SchoolMacasandig Covered Court | 121 families |
| Bonbon (as of 10pm) | Bonbon Elementary SchoolSM | 227 families (and expected to increase)60 families |
| Carmen (as of 2pm) | West Carmen Central School | 158 families |
| Iponan (as of 10pm) | Bulao Elementary SchoolIponan Covered Court | 311 families |
| Lumbia |
No reported need for evacuation |
|
The BDRRMCs in Bonbon and Iponan have identified a need for additional food, on top of their existing supplies. As of 9pm we have dispatched additional sacks of rice to these two barangays. See below note on interventions done for details.
Our Balay Mindanaw Peace Center has also been converted to an evacuation center.
As of 5pm today, 40 persons (primarily staff with their family and friends) have sought refuge in the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center.
Misamis Oriental/Gingoog
The Misamis Oriental area has also been heavily affected by Agaton. Landslides have been reported near Tiklas falls, Gingoog City. Water levels in Gahub, Kibaluyot and other low-lying areas have been rising steadily. As of 6pm today, the water level in Gahub had started to subside. But since rains have resumed, further monitoring will be needed.
The following bridges have been declared impassable or unfit for travel:
– Manticao Bridge
– Bridge at Barangay Balintong, Balingasag
– Highway near Barangay 20, Gingoog City
– Mambayacan Bridge in Balingasag
– Tagoloan Bridge
The Kalambuan Center in Gingoog City has also been converted into an evacuation center. As of 11PM, there were 28 families or 134 individuals from Barangay 23 who sought refuge in the evacuation center. The CDRRMC has provided the KalambuanCenter with some food assistance for the evacuees on top of the assistance already given in the Center.
An additional 71 families or 253 individuals from Barangay 23 had also evacuated and Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School.
Our partner community in Barangay Malinao also reported 224 families who have evacuated to their barangay hall. They have identified food as their urgent need. However, the barangay may be inaccessible due to landslides in the road going to the area. Further assessment will be done tomorrow.
Landslides and clearing operations in Barangay Punong, Gingoog City
Surigao del Sur
This morning, heavy rains were reported in Surigao Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao Norte. San Miguel, Tago and Bislig have declared a state of calamity.
Several roads were considered impassable, including the Marihatag – San Miguel – Gamut road and roads near Mainit Lake.
By 3:30 PM, the MDRRMCs of our partner communities in Cagwait and Lianga have reported that floods were slowly subsiding and people were starting to leaving evacuation centers.
Aleosan, North Cotabato
Our partner community since this morning up until their latest update this 4pm reported that they were experiencing on-and-off rains. The skies remained gloomy, but so far no threat of floods.
Repacking of relief goods at the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center, January 21, 2014
Interventions done:
Evacuation (see exact numbers in the Situation Report above)
- Pre-emptive evacuation of BM staff, family and friends who live in low-lying and flood-prone areas to the Balay Mindanaw Peace Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
- Preemptive evacuation of at-risk Barangay 23 residents to the Balay Mindanaw Kalambuan Center in Gingoog City
Relief:
- Prepositioning of available relief goods
- Ongoing purchase of additional relief goods
- Repacking of additional relief goods to take place tonight
- As of 9pm today, 6 sacks of rice have been dispatched to Bonbon while 7 sacks of rice are being sent to Iponan
Monitoring:
- Monitoring of evacuees in our Centers and in our partner communities for any additional needs.
- Monitoring of weather, water level, road conditions and other pertinent information.
Although rains have stopped and water levels have slowly dropped in Cagayan de Oro in particular, we will continue to be vigilant in monitoring evacuation centers and any other changes.
Thank you very much!
We refuse to be victims.
We choose to be resources.