LPA on Christmas Day affects 3 provinces in Caraga Region
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- Three of the five provinces of Caraga Region were affected by the Low Pressure Area on Christmas Day which was spotted at 30 km west northwest of this city.
As reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of 8:00 a.m. today, a total of 42 barangays were flooded in the city and municipalities of Bayugan, San Francisco, Rosario, Veruela, Loreto, San Luis and Esperanza affecting 8,474 families or 42,540 persons.
NDRRMC reported that flooding alo occurred in Brgys Novele, Cabawan, Libuac, and part of Poblacion in Rosario, Agusan del Sur, where a total of 42 families, or 226 persons were rescued and evacuated to Bayugan East Central Elementary School.
In the Province of Dinagat Island, two barangays were flooded: 1 barangay of Libjo and another in Basilisa affecting 28 families or 140 persons.
Meanwhile, in Surigao del Norte, a total of seven (7) barangays were flooded in the municipalities of Claver, Sison, Tubod and Placer, as well as in Surigao City, affecting 260 families or 1,144 persons.
Also, 22 families who evacuated to Brgy. Mabuhay Hall, Sison, Surigao del Norte, opted to return to their respective homes during daytime and went back to the evacuation center at night for fear of another surge of flashflood. It was also reported that 20 families have decided to stay put until the weather situation improved.
In a related development, an LPA was estimated based on satellite & surface data at 490km East of General Santos City (5.3oN 129.5oE) as of 8:00 a.m. today.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said this weather system will bring cloudy skies w/ scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao, becoming widespread rains over Eastern and Southern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. (PIA-Caraga)
Development for PPA port terminal in Butuan pushed
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is pushing for the development of its port terminal in the city.
According to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte PPA port manager Renato Tolinero, they are asking the city government here to craft an ordinance imposing terminal fee to be used in the maintenance of the facilities in the terminal port.
“Atong hangyuon ang atong lokal nga panggamhanan sa dakbayan nga mugama og ordinance aron pag-imposar og terminal fee nga paga-kolektahon sa matag pasahero nga mugamit sa maong port terminal,” Tolinero said.
(We will ask the local government of this city to craft an ordinance to impose terminal fee to be collected from each passenger who uses the said port terminal.)
Tolinero added once the port terminal is maintained and facilities are improved, passengers will be afforded the convenience as they wait for their trip.
The official further said cleanliness and upkeep of port facilities will be maintained to provide quality service to passengers.
The terminal port located inside the PPA compound here caters to passengers bound for Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. Large pump boats are used to transport the said passengers.
This undertaking supports the Caraga Regional Development Plan, particularly the Infrastructure Development, which is also included in the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016. (PIA-Caraga)
Agusan del Sur LGU continues to conduct relief operations to “Sendong” affected areas in the province
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- Today is no holiday for officials and key personnel of the Agusan del Sur provincial government as they continue to conduct relief operations to “Sendong” affected areas in the province.
This was confirmed by provincial chief executive officer Armando Gomez in an interview with a local radio station here this morning.
Gomez said residents of four barangays in the municipality of Talacogon are still in the evacuation centers. Evacuees from Barangays La Flora, Maharlika, Buena Garcia and Samang Gibong cannot go back to their areas as flashflood may occur anytime as another low pressure area is spotted at 490 km East of General Santos City, based on an advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The official said the relief packs which are scheduled for distribution today is composed of five kilos rice, one liter mineral water, five sardines, five noodles, five pcs. 3-in-1 coffee, five MILO sachets, two pcs. Odong, one pack powdered milk, and medicines.
Meanwhile, the team also distributed 480 relief packs to residents of Barangay Sabang Adgawan in La Paz town on Friday (Dec. 30) and in three barangays in Rosario Town on Dec. 28, 2011.
According to Gomez, leading the relief distribution is Vice Governor Santiago Cane, together with the key officials of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Caraga)
