Shear line batters Caraga
Thousands flee homes, classed suspended
BUTUAN CITY – Thousands of residents fled as a shear line triggered flooding and landslides in the Caraga region.
Rescue teams and evacuation centers have been mobilized to assist residents.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Caraga is providing relief assistance to affected local government units.
Classes were suspended in Butuan City, Tandag City, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur on Thursday and Friday.
“Our main concern here is the safety of our students as this shear line continuous to hit us,” Butuan City Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun said.
“Such weather disturbances pose a clear and present danger to all of us, especially to our students, livelihood, and those residing along the coastal areas, landslide, and flood-prone areas,” said Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel.
The regional monitoring and action center of the Department of Public Works and Highways is closely monitoring Sibahay and Tago Bridges in Surigao del Sur to ensure motorist safety.
“We have already mobilized our safety and disaster teams to conduct inspections in their respective areas (District Engineering Offices) because our main concern is the safety of our commuting public,” stressed DPWH-13 Assistant Regional Director Vincent Roderick “Bong” O. Acebes.