PAGADIAN CITY (18 October) -- Some 150 houses and farm lands were damaged/destroyed when flash floods hit barangays Tiguma,Tuburan, Lumbia and Tawagan Sur, this city at 3:30 in the afternoon of October 13. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assessed the damage amounting to P3,626,000.00

DSWD listed 89 affected families in Tiguma, Tuburan – 35 families; Lumbia –26 families; while an undetermined number of families in Tawagan Sur were also affected.

Heavy rainfall which lasted more than an hour, triggered the destructive surge of water overflowing the river control in the area.

The houses in Tiguma, which are built of concrete and light materials, situated in Purok Mal-os, Bordagol, Malagkit and C-4 were levelled by a strong current of water.

“The level of the water that entered the houses had risen alarmingly reaching to about 3 to 4 meters,” said Social Worker Marieta Cola, who made an immediate ocular inspection and assessment in the area.

A house owned by Jose Wasawas in Purok Bordagol was completely wrecked and carried away by the strong current.

Tawagan Sur National High School, which is adjacent to Tiguma, was also hit by the flood resulting to the damage of 22 personal computers, books and school records.

“ This is the first time that a flood as high as 4 to 5 meters covered the school building,” Principal Oscar Dolorin said, adding that classes were suspended because tables and chairs were covered not only by water but also with mud.

Engr. Nellie L. Sisona of the City Engineer’s Office said, garbage thrown in the area blocked the canals and caused the flash flood.

City social welfare officer Abdulgani G. Pagayao said, the City Disaster Coordinating Council had made an assessment as to the extent of damage and recommended to Mayor Samuel Co immediate relief assistance to help ease the plight of the victims.

“No one was reported killed nor injured in the incident,” Pagayao said, adding that the CDCC continues to assess the damage so as to extend assistance to the victims.

Reyvenido Cesar A. Lingating, executive assistant of the City Mayor said Mayor Samuel Co had immediately ordered food and clothings to be immediately sent and distributed to the affected families.