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IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (MindaNews/28 Oct) – Four barangays in this capital town were placed under a state of calamity on Friday, a day after a heavy downpour brought about by tropical storm “Ofel” caused flash floods in these areas.
Mayor Eldwin Alibutdan called for a special session of the municipal council on Friday. The council immediately declared the barangays of Lower Taway, Sanito, Bangkerohan and some parts of Poblacion under a state of calamity, allocating P600,000 for relief operations and assistance to affected families.
Some 600 families from the four barangays were affected as floodwaters rose quickly, a number of the houses under water for hours.
Rescuers from the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other volunteer rescue groups like REACT, ORACIS and the town’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry immediately responded, leading to zero casualty and no reported missing persons.
The displaced families were sheltered temporarily at the municipal gym and barangay halls.
They started returning to their villages last Saturday.
Local government officials, personnel and other private and non-government organization distributed relief basic food and non-food items to the affected families. (Paul Nazer Lontua/MindaNews)