Friday, June 17, 2011

Flood displaces over 80,000 in Cotabato City

(Update) Displaced people already reached over 80,000 as of Saturday.

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Some 66,000 people from 14 of this city’s 26 villages have been displaced by flood caused by days of heavy rains that showed no signs of abating on Friday.

Many of the evacuees are staying with relatives, neighbors and friends but 12,000 have needed to be taken to basketball courts and other government facilities converted into evacuation centers.

Cherry Veloria, supervising administrative officer of the Office of City Social Welfare and Development Services, said they have already identified 16 evacuation centers but worried they may need more should the number of evacuees increase.

In some low-lying villages near the Supermarket area and Datu Liwa Candao village, bancas for hire have become the mode of transportation, taking over routes normally plied by jeepneys and pedicabs.

“Umabot na ang baha sa mega market. Papalaki pa ang tubig (The flood has already reached the mega market. The water keeps rising),” said Sam Mundas, the city’s market supervisor.

Veloria, while thankful for the relief goods donated by various organizations, worried the supplies they have may not last for long.

Mundas said they were also concerned about a possible outbreak of diseases.

“Some areas stink,” he said as he emphasized the need for health offices in the city and in Central Mindanao to “try to be proactive” in preventing any outbreak.

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