Mahinog under state of calamity due to flashfloods

Mahinog, Camiguin (July 30, 2012) - The Municipal Council of Mahinog presided by Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle on Friday formally declared a state of calamity for the affected areas in the town due to the flashflooding it experienced on Thursday.

Heavy flooding has made this box culvert bridge in Langcangan, Poblacion to be submerged and impassable. Heavy equipments from the provincial government immediately worked to clear the boulders and debris and made this bridge passable again the following day.

Parts of barangay San Roque and Poblacion were flooded after Mahinog River overflowed due to a heavy downpour of continuous rains which triggered flashfloods and landslides.

An updated report from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) says that a total of 344 families or 1,209 persons have been affected or displaced by the flashfloods.

In Mahinog alone, total damages to infrastructure and agriculture were estimated at 12.2 million pesos and 1.2 million pesos, respectively, with a total amount of 13.4 million pesos, according to the same report.

The formal declaration of a state of calamity was in response to the recommendation of the MDRRMC in a meeting convened by Mayor Alex Jajalla, a move to hasten relief and rehabilitation operations.

Pursuant to Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10121 otherwise known as The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (DRRM Act), the Sangguniang Bayan may declare the municipality under state of calamity upon recommendation of the MDRRMC based on the result of damage assessment and needs analysis of the calamity. (Homer R. Jajalla)