From quake to floods: Sarangani villagers appeal for more aid

KORONADAL CITY — Villagers in Glan, Sarangani, who are still reeling from the aftermath of the June 8 powerful magnitude 7.8 quake, appealed for help on Monday after floods and landslides ravaged their homes, as rescuers continue to search for a missing couple.At least 450 families from Barangay Mudan were affected by floods and landslides caused by almost three days of incessant rains from July 10 to 12.The heavy rains were due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) induced by Typhoon Inday, which left the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 8 p.m. on July 10.READ: 6 dead, 3 missing after landslide hits Sarangani villageBarangay Mudan chairperson Julieta Embajador said many residents evacuated to the village gymnasium, church, and other safe areas after floodwaters swept through the community.Some affected families remain in evacuation centers, while others are staying temporarily with relatives.Embajador said the residents are in dire need of food, clean drinking water, tents, and construction materials for damaged homes.Resident Renan Embajador said the flooding was believed to have been caused by a landslide in the mountains that blocked a creek.The blockage reportedly formed an artificial dam, which eventually gave way after days of almost nonstop rainfall, he added.He said only a portion of the artificial dam had collapsed and that a larger volume of water might still be trapped in the mountains. Embajador urged authorities to act immediately to prevent a bigger disaster.He said that other landslide debris in the area may have formed similar artificial dams following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the town just last month.READ: Cut off by quake: Sarangani’s remote towns plead for water, foodAs of Monday, access to landslide-affected areas in Barangay Mudan remained difficult since there is no proper road leading to the site.Horses are reportedly the usual means of transportation to reach the area where water has accumulated and formed into artificial dams.Some parts of the barangay also remained without water and electricity after the flooding.No fatalities have been reported in Barangay Mudan. Officials said early warnings about the possible collapse of the artificial dam helped residents in low-lying areas prepare and evacuate.According to Glan MDRRMO, other affected areas include portions of Barangays Glan Padidu, Kapatan, and E. Alegado, where a couple remains missing and is being searched for by responders as of this writing.Glan Vice Mayor Victor James Yap Jr. said in a radio interview that the municipal government has coordinated with the Sarangani provincial government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Air Force to conduct an aerial survey of the affected area.The survey aims to assess the situation, determine possible measures to release trapped water, and ensure the residents’ safety, Yap said./coa

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