DAVAO CITY (PIA) -– The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region XI has confirmed the declaration of State of Calamity by the local government units of Malita and Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental due to the massive flooding and landslides recently experienced in the province.
The OCD XI report as of 1 January 2025, indicated that the LGUs respectively declared the state of calamity on 28 December 2024.
The towns of Malita and Don Marcelino were severely affected by the flooding and landslide incidents that transpired on 26 December 2024 in some municipalities of Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, due to continuous rains brought about by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
The OCD XI report showed that 24,780 families or 112,738 persons have been affected. Out of the total number, 192 families or 842 persons were served inside seven evacuation centers, while 382 families or 1,910 persons were served outside the ECs.
Most of the affected families are from the 50 barangays of Davao Occidental.
Damage to infrastructure amounting to P215,700,000 was reported in Davao Occidental and Davao del Norte.
As of Monday, December 30, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI has already distributed family food packs amounting to P3,697,370 to affected families and individuals in the region.
DSWD XI has assured a standby fund of P300,000 while validation of affected families and other data are being prepared, and to be able to provide correct and sufficient assistance to the flood victims.
The agency has also prepositioned 147,255 family food packs amounting to P112, 476,119 and non-food items amounting to P110,132,040.34.
Following the declaration of a State of Calamity by the LGU of Malita, the SPAMAST employees were directed to adopt a work-from-home arrangement on January 2-3, 2025 to ensure safety and give ample time to recover from the calamity.
Regular office operations in the SPAMAST (Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology) will resume on January 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, the LGUs of Malita, Don Marcelino and Sta. Maria declared suspension of classes and work on January 2-3, 2025, in all levels of public and private schools due to the effects of massive flooding and landslides brought about the ITCZ.
All schools have been directed to shift to alternative learning modalities.
Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason John Joyce, also of Davao Occidental, has ordered the conduct of asynchronous or distance learning in all classes in the municipality on January 2-3, 2025.
On his social media post, Joyce said this is “to give ample time for the teachers who are mostly based in other towns and provinces, and for the student students who may have visited relatives outside Davao Occidental, to travel safely back to JAS.” (CLC/PIA Davao)
