At least three towns in North Cotabato - Magpet, President Roxa and Kabacan - were declared under a state of calamity following series of flashfloods that left six people dead and millions worth of crops and infrastructures damaged. Damage to crops and properties have been reported in the three towns after these were ravaged by floods brought about by torrential rains since Jan. 26. Magpet Mayor Efren Pi?ol said his town suffered at least P655,315 worth of damaged crops, with total damaged area placed at 76 hectares planted with banana, mahogany, coconut, rice, corn, rubber, tahiti and rambutan. Repair of damaged infrastructures, which include three overflow bridges, would cost an estimated P4,485,000. Several hectares of agricultural lands were also reported damaged in President Roxas due to the overflowing of Kabacan River. The flashfloods also claimed the lives of two persons in President Roxas and a tricycle driver in Magpet. In a press release emailed to Sun.Star Wednesday, Vice Governor Emmanuel Pi?ol “called on local governments units (LGUs) adversely affected by the recent torrential rains to initiate efforts to declare a state of calamity in their municipalities if necessary and make sure the declaration is forwarded to the Provincial Government so the governor can institute measures to assist these local government units.” Provincial officials discussed the possibility of declaring a province-wide state of calamity to allow the use of calamity funds and aid to the affected towns.
