By Lou Ellen Antonio

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Based on the situational report released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-10 at 3:00 a.m., January 9, there are 6,881 families or 25,142 individuals affected by the flooding caused by the trough of the low pressure area, January 2.

In Tubod town, there are 1,940 families (7,484 individuals) affected; 600 families (1,500 individuals) affected in Baroy; 3,330 families (11,466 individuals) affected in Lala; 33 families (156 individuals) affected in Kapatagan; 72 families (290 individuals) affected in Salvador; 181 families (905 individuals) affected in Kolambugan; 397 families (1,805 individuals) affected in Munai; 250 families (1,250 individuals) affected in Tangcal, and 78 families (286 individuals) affected in  Magsaysay. 

Families who were displaced have already returned to their homes. They also received relief goods from the local government units (LGUs). Four were confirmed dead due to drowning, while four were reported injured.

There are 34 houses that are totally damaged and 154 that are partially damaged in the municipalities of Baroy, Lala, Magsaysay, Salvador, and Tubod.

Angel "Tata" Yap, the mayor of Lala, also praised how different groups worked together to help rescue the people who were affected.

"Nagtulong-tulong talga, ang DRRMO staff natin, 'yung PNP natin, 'yung BFP, at AFP, tumutulong talaga. Pasalamat talaga ako," he said.

(Our DRRMO staff, our PNP, the BFP, and the AFP really helped. I am really grateful)

Meanwhile, Mayor Dionisio "Jimmy" Cabahug Jr. of Tubod town led a meeting to evaluate and plan for the next steps of action after the recent flooding in the town. The proposed resolution of the LGU Tubod has been approved, declaring the city under a state of calamity.

"Kaya maaga kami nag-meeting kasi ayokong mangyari na naman ulit ito baka ngayon o bukas kasi di talaga natin malalaman. Kailangan i-collect ang data on how we respond on whatever problems na nangyayari sa town," he said. 

(That's why we're meeting early because we don't want this to happen again. This could happen again, maybe today or tomorrow, we really don't know. We need to collect data on how we respond to whatever problems are happening in the town)

Roads, bridges, drainage systems, water systems, plantations of rice, corn, high-value commercial crops, fisheries, and livestock were also damaged.  Validation and assessment for other damages to infrastructures and agriculture continue. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)