56 families evacuated in South Cotabato over flood, landslide threat

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — At least 56 families were evacuated from Purok Tinefulan in Barangay Maligo of Polomolok, South Cotabato on Saturday night, July 4, after continuous heavy rains raised the threat of landslides and flash floods.

Out of the 56 families or 240 individuals, 19 families were temporarily sheltered at Maligo Elementary School. Another 37 families stayed at the barangay gymnasium.

They include pregnant women, elderly, persons with disabilities, and families with young children.

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Rescue teams and volunteers were deployed to facilitate the evacuation.

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The village government of Maligo and the Polomolok municipal government immediately provided the evacuees with food packs and other basic necessities.

According to Maligo village chief Marcelo Ormita, the preemptive evacuation was ordered after residents reported landslides on higher areas, with rocks and soil already falling near some houses.

Authorities also feared that larger boulders could roll down and hit homes in the community.

Ormita said they also received reports from residents of a pond-like body of water that may have formed in the area due to landslides triggered by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8.

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The continuous rains may have caused more water to collect, raising concerns that it could overflow.

The Polomolok Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and barangay officials inspected the area today to assess the reported water buildup and determine the level of danger.

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Meanwhile, the barangay officials advised the public to postpone visits to resorts in Purok Tinefulan until authorities declare the area safe.

They said the threat of landslides and flash floods remains high because of the continuing rains. /apl

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