DAVAO CITY – Two persons were killed in landslides here triggered by non-stop heavy rain from the shearline on Thursday, January 18, the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported.
EVACUEES in Davao City are treated to pancit for dinner on Thursday, January 18. (City Government of Davao FB)
CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran told the Davao City Disaster Radio on Friday, January 19, that the first fatality died in Barangay Tigatto in Buhangin District where 19 families were evacuated in case of further mass wasting.
Baloran said the second fatality, a seven-year-old boy, perished in Sitio Masawang in Barangay Marilog Proper in Marilog District. The child’s parents were injured and taken by the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) to a hospital in this city.
"The landslide hit the house of a family composed of three members. The seven-year-old kid died. The BDRRMC transported the couple to Barangay Marahan, where an ambulance fetched them heading to the city proper," Baloran said.
Baloran said the CDRRMO issued advisories in these areas and warned about possible landslides through the BDRRMC. He added that he warned all residents in landslide-prone areas to stay alert because, like an earthquake, no one can predict a landslide.
The CDRRMO had earlier activated the Davao City Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis to assess the damage from the heavy rain and flooding on January 18, Baloran said.
He said no casualties were reported in the flooding, which he attributed to the advanced information received by residents through their office on the flooding of six significant tributaries here – the Lipadas River, Matina River, Talomo River, Bunawan River, Davao River, and Lasang River.
The CDRMMO said that 1,327 families or 4,987 individuals) were rescued by authorities near river tributaries in this city. Baloran said the number is only from the response conducted by their office and that they are still awaiting the final report of the RDANA and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
CSWDO is still conducting the master listing, validation, and assessment of affected families. It provided hot meals through its mobile kitchen and initiated community cooking for families in evacuation areas.
Child development workers also initiated "child-friendly spaces" to give psychosocial support to children during the calamity. Child-friendly spaces offer a secure setting for all children, enabling their engagement in structured activities.