ZAMBOANGA CITY - The City
Social Welfare and Development Office is finalizing its report on the Saturday
flashfloods in brgy. Curuan for the grant of financial assistance to the
victims in addition to the relief and food assistance immediately provided to
the affected families.
Initial
reports show that 6 houses made of light materials were swept away while 2
houses were partially damaged by gushing waters from the swollen Curuan river
following torrential rains in the mountains Saturday afternoon.
City
Social Welfare Officer Francisco Barredo also reported that 194 families with a
total of 776 dependents were affected by the sudden rise in the water in
various sitios in Curuan and the neighboring area of Quiniput.
Mayor
Celso Lobregat along with Councilors Rudy Lim, Mike Alavar and Myra Paz
Abubakar sped off to Curuan immediately after being informed of the
flashfloods, to personally look into the situation as well as to supervise the
rescue and relief operations.
Barredo’s
office distributed water, bread, sardines, rice and other foodstuff to the
affected victims.
Lobregat
has instructed the activation of the rescue team of the City Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council causing the dispatch of Coast Guard rubber boats,
personnel from the police, Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection and Zamcelco to
the area.
The
water that rose waist deep in some parts, particularly at the Curuan
center—said to be the hardest hit area— quickly receded that prevented mass
evacuations.
Barredo
said he will recommend the immediate grant of financial assistance to those
whose houses were damaged to help them in the rehabilitation of their
dwellings.
Meanwhile,
authorities continue to appeal to all people residing along river banks and low
lying areas to constantly take precautions in the light of the unpredictable
weather conditions. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA9-ZBST)