COTABATO CITY (PIA) — The Bangsamoro government continues to provide aid to families affected by the recent flooding in the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
In a statement, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Balawag” Ebrahim said that different Bangsamoro ministries and agencies, along with their partners, have been helping the affected families without letup.
“Agad tayong nagpadala ng quick response teams sa pangunguna ng Bangsamoro READi upang umalalay sa search and rescue operations na pinangungunahan ng Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at Local DRRMOs ng mga naturang munisipyo,” Ebrahim said.
(We immediately dispatched quick response teams, led by the Bangsamoro READi [Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence], to assist in the search and rescue operations led by the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and other local DRRMOs.)
On the night of July 9, flash floods caused by heavy rains affected thousands of residents in the said provinces, affecting more than 350,000 individuals.
The affected towns in Maguindanao del Norte include Datu Montawal, Pagalungan, Gen. S.K. Pendatun, Paglat, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Salibo, Mamasapano, Datu Piang, and Datu Hofer.
Heavy downpours also led to flooding in the coastal towns of Kapatagan, Balabagan, and Malabang in Lanao del Sur.
“Marami sa ating mga kababayan sa BARMM ang nakaranas ng biglaang pagbaha at landslide dala ng intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). Ito ay nagdulot ng matinding pinsala sa mga nabanggit na lugar,” Ebrahim explained.
Many of the residents in BARMM experienced flash floods and landslides brought by the ITCZ, which caused severe damage to the aforementioned areas.
The records of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Bangsamoro government show that more than 4,000 families have already received food and non-food items.
According to Ebrahim, the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), along with affected local government units, has also conducted road-clearing operations to facilitate the delivery of goods and necessities, as well as other social service initiatives.
“Isinailalim na din ang ating regional emergency operations center sa blue alert upang masiguro ang maayos na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga EOCs at iba pang mga stakeholders ng mga apektadong lugar,” he stressed.
(We have also placed our regional emergency operations center on blue alert to ensure effective communication and coordination among EOCs and other stakeholders in the affected areas.)
Ebrahim urged Bangsamoro residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the authorities for proper guidance.
“Ganun pa man, nananatili kaming nakaantabay at nakaalalay. Mahalaga na ang mamamayan ay maging alerto at magkaroon ng sapat at totoong kaalaman hinggil sa nararanasan nating sakuna,” said Ebrahim.
(We continue to monitor the situation and prepare for any further development. It is important that the people remain alert and have sufficient and accurate knowledge about the disaster we are experiencing.) (LTB – PIA Cotabato City)