DAVAO CITY - Moderate to heavy rains due to Tropical Depression (TD) Vicky caused a landslide in a village in Nabunturan town, Davao de Oro province, forcing residents to evacuate Friday.
In a statement on Friday, the local government of Nabunturan said a landslide occurred near a residence in Purok 3, Barangay San Roque.
“Kasamtangan nang gi-evacuate ang mga lumulupyo sa maong balay ug ipa assess na sa mga personahe sa atong Municipal Engineering Office ang lugar (The residents are currently being evacuated and the area will be assessed by the Municipal Engineering Office),” it said.
The provincial government said the profiling of the evacuees was still being conducted by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
The MSWDO was also inspecting the evacuation centers and temporary shelters of the residents, and are preparing for relief operations.
Meanwhile, residents in flood-prone areas in three villages in the same town were pre-emptively evacuated.
Based on the report of the Nabunturan government, 69 residents evacuated from Purok 8 in Barangay Magsaysay, 52 residents were evacuated in Barangay Mipangi, and a still undetermined number of residents evacuated from Barangay Basak.
The residents were fetched by a truck and other vehicular assets by responders of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) Friday morning.
The municipal government assured that the evacuees were provided with face masks and face shields. It said the observance of physical distancing in designated evacuation facilities and temporary shelters were also ensured.
Meanwhile, Municipal Mayor Chelita C. Amatong signed on Friday Executive Order 64 Series of 2020 or "An Order Suspending Work in Government and Classes in All Levels in the Municipality of Nabunturan Due to the Severe, Unfavorable Weather Conditions Brought About by Tropical Depression Vicky."
The order, however, does not cover employees under the health and emergency response offices.
“Offices under the local government unit of Nabunturan responsible for the payroll and releasing of salaries, wages, and honorariums due today shall render overtime services,” it added.
As of 1 p.m., TD Vicky was estimated at 95 km east northeast of Davao City.
According to Severe Weather Bulletin No. 4 of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), TD Vicky had maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, and gustiness of up to 60 km/h.
“Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Leyte, and Bohol,” PAGASA said.
It added that light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Bicol Region, the southern portion of Quezon, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and the rest of Visayas, Davao Region, and Northern Mindanao.
PAGASA added that “Vicky” was “forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of Baganga-Caraga area in Davao Oriental between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
It said TD Vicky “is likely to emerge over the Bohol Sea tomorrow early morning, pass close Siquijor, and pass close or make another landfall over the southern portion of Negros Island after crossing Mindanao.
“By tomorrow morning or afternoon, 'Vicky' is likely to emerge over the Sulu Sea,” it added.