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The fishponds absorbed the most damage with 1,050 hectares affected, the cost estimated at P31.5 million. Some 600 hectares of rice lands, too, were damaged by the floods at a cost of about P4.2 million.
Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Kapatagan Mayor Benny Baguio, in a press conference this morning, jointly declared Kapatagan town under a state of calamity.
The floods, which hit Kapatagan and neighboring Aurora town in Zamboanga del Sur, caused the death of at least six people as rampaging mud swept a bus and damaged several houses along a 10-kilometer stretch of the Iligan-Aurora highway. In Kapatagan, affected barangays were Sta. Cruz, Balili, Dunggo-an, Lapinig and Margos.
Dimaporo said she has already sought the help of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for rehabilitation fund assistance.
Rescue operation teams under the leadership of Col. Rodolfo Quinto, commanding officer of 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team, are currently conducting clearing operations in the affected part of the highway.
Helping the Marines are rescue teams from neighboring Iligan City, Ozamiz City, Misamis Oriental, Davao City and that of the Philippine Air Force. (Richel V. Umel/MindaNews)