Mahinog to ask funds from national government to rebuild infrastructure damaged by flashfloods

THE Municipal Planning and Development Office here reported that the estimated cost for rehabilitation or total reconstruction of public infrastructure damaged by flashfloods amounted to P218,400,000.00

This was according to municipal planning and development coordinator Engr. Benito C. Paderanga who appeared at the Sangguniang Bayan session on Monday to present the DANA (Disaster Analysis and Needs Assessment) report to the legislative council.

Last July 26, 2012, parts of the municipality were flooded due to non stop rains and a total of 344 families or 1,209 persons have been displaced by the flashfloods.

Water distribution systems have been damaged by floods, resulting in about 90 percent of the population in the affected barangays to be waterless.

Parts of barangay San Roque and Poblacion were submerged in floodwater after river control dikes collapsed, causing immediate flooding in rice field areas and homes located near river banks.

Other affected barangays include Owakan, Pontod, Benoni, San Jose and Hubangon.

Municipal agriculturist Sospis Leo Tabuan said that the damage on irrigation facilities made it difficult for farmers to be able to plant this cropping season.

In a resolution passed by the Sanguniang Bayan, the municipal government has requested Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo and Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo to make representation with the national government to extend financial assistance to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the recent flashfloods.

Among the projects include the rehabilitation of box culvert and reconstruction of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) in sitio Comon in barangay Pontod in the amount of four hundred thousand pesos (P400, 000.00).

Rehabilitation of box culvert and reconstruction of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) in sitios Langcangan and Jang in barangay Poblacion (Divine Mercy Chapel) in the amount of three hundred thousand pesos (P300, 000.00).

Construction of Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG) in sitios Langcangan and Jang in barangay Poblacion (Divine Mercy Chapel) in the amount of P50 million.

Reconstruction/construction of river control dike at barangay San Roque in the amount of P10 million.

Construction of additional river control dike (both sides) at barangay San Roque in the amount of P150 million.

Reconstruction of damaged Irrigation System at barangays Poblacion and San Roque in the amount of P7 million.

Rehabilitation of damaged waterworks system in barangays Poblacion, Benoni, Hubangon, San Jose, San Roque, Pontod and Owakan in the amount seven hundred thousand pesos (P700,000.00). Homer R. Jajalla

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)

Flash flooding due to continuous rains hit three villages in Mahinog

The recent  flash flood tear down trees, roll boulders and destroy this house owned by couple Miyang and Etang Anana (in this picture) in riverside Poblacion, Mahinog 

Mahinog, Camiguin (July 27, 2012) - At least 200 household families were evacuated yesterday when flash flooding occurred due to continuous rains brought by low pressure area and hit three villages in the municipality of Mahinog since last two days, July 26-27.

The barangays affected were San Roque, Poblacion and Hubangon.

A concrete bridge in Poblacion going to sitio Jang was damaged due to heavy flooding.

Major roads are still passable except the road going to barangay Owakan which is not passable due to landslides.

Initial report says that at least five houses were either partially or totally washed out at the height of the flash flooding.

There are no reports of human deaths and injuries, but a number of livestock have reportedly been drowned, according to MDRRMC.

Mayor Alex Jajalla announced the suspension of classes since Thursday in pre-school to high school due to continuous rains.

 

“The rains have been unusually heavy and it occurred only in one part of the municipality, other parts have good weather condition and very light drizzles in some parts,” Mayor Jajalla said.

He said heavy rains were experienced only in Poblacion and San Roque, while in Catuhogan up to Tupsan, there were none, if any, only very light.

Initial report on infrastructure damage was placed at P5.6 million. Morever, initial report on agriculture damage was estimated at P668,000, according to local disaster risk and reduction and management council.

The municipal council today declared the town under state of calamity. 

Mahinog thanks Japan for flood control projects

(Mayor Alex R. Jajalla delivering his welcome remarks at the inauguration ceremony)

MAHINOG, Camiguin, January 9, 2012– Town mayor Alex R. Jajalla expressed gratitude to the Japan government for the construction of P568-million worth of flood control projects at the inauguration ceremony here in barangay Pontod on Satuday.

“On behalf of the municipal government and the people of Mahinog, I wish to convey our endless gratitude to the Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) represented today by His Excellency Akio Isomata, Minister for Economic Affairs, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, for extending its assistance in the completion of two Sabo dams and reconstruction of heavily damaged bridge that would help save lives and property particularly in the Municipality of Mahinog," the local chief executive said.

(The Embassy of Japan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Akio Isomata delivering his remarks at the inauguration ceremony)

It can be recalled that Camiguin was hit by massive flash flood triggered by typhoon “Nanang” in 2001 that left untold death and destruction in various parts of the island province. The hardest hit was barangay Hubangon in the municipality of Mahinog.

Jajalla said with traumatic experiences after the flood, people were afraid every time it rains hard.

“The mere thought of knowing a tropical storm is coming, sends shivers down the spines of many people, especially in barangay Hubangon, the hardest hit during Nanang.”

“We were too scared every moment it rains very hard. We felt insecure and nervous, fearing the worst flood was to hit again,” Jajalla said.

He said after the project was in place, people can now sleep very well.

“Now with the huge Sabo dam in place, people will now feel safe and assured of safety as we will no longer fear being hit by flood as we know this dam is designed to control flooding, or lessen flood damage in low lying areas,” the mayor added.

(Upper Sabo dam site at Pontod, Mahinog, Camiguin)

Jajalla also acknowledged Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo and Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo for giving their best effort from conception to completion of this important project that will play a very important role in Camiguin's economy and disaster risk reduction management campaign.

(Minister Isomata (left) receiving plaque of recognition from Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo and Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo while DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson looks on)

“This project will not only provide the community for safer living condition; it will become an asset for greater economic productivity in this beautiful island of Camiguin,” Jajalla said.

“The new bridge that we also unveil today is more than just a bridge that links the entire province. This is, indeed, a bridge to the highway of opportunity that would drive trade and commerce, trigger local economy and generate job creation in the entire province,” the mayor added.

(The Embassy of Japan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Akio Isomata (2nd from left), assisted by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson (3rd from left), Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo (4th from L), Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo (5th from L) and Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla (6th from L), unveil the inaugural marker during the inauguration ceremony of the the P568-million sabo dam and bridge projects at barangay Pontod in the municipality of Mahinog recently)

Jajalla stressed though this project is a major achievement to celebrate, much work still remains to ensure that people are safe and better lives are achieved.

“After this project, more long-term and sustainable development approaches are still needed to be done,” he stressed.

“The issue on climate change must be tackled urgently, with fresh perspective, in the light of rapid climate change that led to an increase in natural disasters that hit most parts of the country this year including the massive flooding that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan recently.”

“We will continue to lobby developed country governments like Japan to show more urgency in dealing with climate change and continue to provide additional grant aid projects related to climate change,” he said.

The local chief executive expressed hope that JICA will return back to Camiguin for more development assistance projects that will improve the quality of life among Camiguingnons.

“His Excellency Minister Isomata, with thankful hearts, kindly convey our endless gratitude to your government and your people for making these projects possible."

"In the meantime, the people of the municipality of Mahinog will look forward to welcoming you back soon,” Jajalla concluded.

For his part, Isomata said that Japan will continue to help “in whatever way we can” to help Filipinos better prepare for natural disasters.

“This project reaffirms the continued commitment of Japan to extend cooperation in minimizing threats of disaster and we will continue to help Philippines in whatever way we can," he said.

However, he reminded the public not to become complacent with the project, but remain vigilant and prepared for disaster.

"Disaster happens when everybody is just about to forget it," he stressed.


Aside from Minister Isomata (6th from L), the inauguration was also graced by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson (5th from L), Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo (7th from L), Camiguin Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo (4th from L), Ms. Sachido Takeda (8th from L), Senior representative of the Philippine Office of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla (2nd from L), among others.

Mahinog participates nationwide earthquake drill

Mahinog, Camiguin - To make sure residents remain alert and know what to do in case of an earthquake, a simultaneous drill was conducted here today at Mahinog Public Market, Mahinog Central School and Columbia St. Michael's Parish High School.

This activity was also conducted nationwide by all public and private schools, selected public government buildings and commercial establishments. The drill started at 9 a.m.

Spearheaded by the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC), the drill involved critical emergency response operations in the so-called “Golden Hour," or the critical first 72 hours after a quake.

This includes fire suppression, collapsed structure search and rescue, high angle rescue, and mass casualty incident management and evacuation.

Tropical Depression Urduja brings heavy rains, flooding in Mahinog, about 200 persons evacuated

November 25, 2009 – At least thirty seven (37) families living in flood prone areas in barangays Hubangon and San Roque were evacuated to municipal gym last night after heavy and continuous rains brought by Tropical Depression “Urduja” flooded communities in many parts of Camiguin and have rendered major roads impassable.

Before nightfall yesterday, Mayor Alex R. Jajalla convened the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) and ordered all Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils (BDCCs) to be on heightened alert to monitor for possible flashfloods and landslides brought by the weather disturbance.

Rescue workers from the MDCC and Mahinog Response 143 have been dispatched since last night to see to it that threatened residents were evacuated to safe place.

The Tupsan Pequeno bridge was severely damaged after river water swelled and destroyed the bridge's approach rendering it impassable to four-wheel vehicles, the MDCC reported.

The detour bridge in barangay Hubangon was also wiped out by rampaging water prompting authorities to open the newly completed bridge on one lane for all types of vehicles.

Camiguin was placed under Public Storm Signal No. 1 yesterday as Urduja made landfall over Southern Leyte in the morning moving west northwest with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph but changed course in the afternoon towards the east at 40 kilometer east of Surigao City, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

12-hour rainfall amount reached 275.6 mm, according to the municipal rain gauge station.

By past 8:00 o'clock last night, residents heard "rumbling" sound of floodwater almost like that of Nanang that happened in November 6, 2001. Observers were to say later that the new river control had helped a lot in preventing the water from diverting to the populated area in barangay Hubangon.

Ferry trips from Camiguin to Balingoan and Bohol and vice versa yesterday were cancelled. Classes in all levels were also suspended.

This morning ferry trips went back to normal after Pag-asa lifted this morning storm signals in Camiguin. (Homer R. Jajalla – Mahinog Information Office)

Mahinog sends aid to “Ondoy” victims

OVERWHELMED by the devastation caused by Tropical Storm “Ondoy”, the municipal government releases P50,000 relief assistance for victims of tropical storm “Ondoy” in Metro Manila and adjoining province.

In just 12 hours, Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (international name: Ketsana) dumped a month’s worth of rain on the city of 12 million people, submerging 80% of the capital, killing some 250 people Saturday September 26, 2009 and displaced hundreds of thousands more, the reports said.

“Metro Manila is home of many Mahinognons, and in own our little way we want to help them and those who are affected through this unimaginably difficult time,” said Mayor Alex R. Jajalla.

He also said that the money was coursed through the Office of Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo in Manila for proper distribution to the victims. (Homer R. Jajalla - Mahinog Information Office)