BUTUAN CITY – The Army 60th Infantry (Mediator) Battalion (IB) has mobilized field units to extend assistance to flash floods victims in Agusan del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte.
SOLDIERS rescue villagers from a flash flood in Asuncion town, Davao del Norte. (Photo via Mike U. Crismundo)
The 60th IB deployed disaster response (HADR) teams to communities affected by flooding from continuous heavy rains due to the shear line, a weather system where the cold northeasterly winds and warm easterlies converge, since Monday, January 15.
The 60th IB Disaster Response Units (DRU) composed of organic personnel from its line companies and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliaries together with teams from Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) rescued stranded families and individuals in flood-stricken communities.
“Our troops are redoubling their effort to save lives in flood-stricken areas,” 60th IB Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer 1st Lt. Alexelle Joyce A. Quijano said on Wednesday, January 17.
Quijano also said they provided transportation assistance to rescued victims in going to evacuation sites.
More than 4,000 families have been affected by the flash floods and some of them are staying in evacuation centers while others are with their relatives and friends, she said.
Quijano said they are in continuous coordination with Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRRMCs) in the area to help prevent the increasing number of affected families.