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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/11 October) – At least 171 families with over 500 dependents were displaced by a storm surge yesterday in the coastal Barangay Labuan here.
The storm surge occurred amid the inclement weather this city has been experiencing the past days due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that the ITCZ continues to be the dominant weather system affecting the country.
Ronald Maravilla, Labuan barangay chairman, said the storm surge totally destroyed 19 houses and partially damaged 72 others.
Maravilla said most of the affected houses were made of light materials and were built near the shoreline.
He said the displaced families were temporarily housed at the Labuan Elementary School.
No casualties were reported.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered Soccorro Rojas, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, to provide relief assistance to the displaced families.
Salazar also ordered Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, city health officer, to attend to the health needs of the affected families.
Classes in the elementary and secondary levels both in public and private schools were suspended on Friday due to the inclement and “unpredictable” weather condition brought about by the ITCZ. (MindaNews)