The provincial board members on Saturday unanimously approved the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) led by governor Dorothy Gonzaga to allow immediate disaster rehabilitation and relief operations for the affected population.
The passage of a declaration for a State of Calamity allows expedient response and recovery efforts through the utilization of its Quick Response Fund (QRF) and promptly addresses the needs of affected families and individuals.
PDRRMC data showed 182,653 individuals belonging to 51,140 families have been affected by the natural disaster.
PDRRMC said the shear line’s initial damage to agriculture in the province was estimated at P130 million mostly on crops and fisheries affecting more than 5,000 hectares and more than 3,700 farmers and fish farmers.
This will still increase in the upcoming reports from the municipalities, according to the PDRRMC report.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 11 in its latest report as of January 21, said that a total of 81 barangays in Davao de Oro were flooded and 45 landslides were also recorded.
On Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18 a deadly landslide in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo in said province occured that killed 11 residents . Among those who were buried under earth and rocks during a landslide were seven members of the Gumatin Family.
The victims including the Gumatins were reportedly attending a prayer meeting when the incident occurred.