Flood damage hits P1.43-B in Mindoro town; DPWH aid sought

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — The municipal government of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to repair and strengthen flood control and riverbank protection structures after successive storms caused P1.43 billion in damage.

Municipal administrator Norman Novio on Sunday said that heavy rains and increased river discharge caused strong currents, scouring and erosion along riverbanks, further weakening existing protection structures.

“The continuous heavy rainfall and increased river discharge have resulted in strong water currents, scouring and erosion along the riverbank,” Novio told the Inquirer.

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READ: Damaged protection dike in Mindoro puts Naujan residents at risk

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Sablayan was placed under a state of calamity on Aug. 14 after Tropical Depressions Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon, or habagat, affected all 22 barangays.

The municipality’s final damage assessment put total losses at P1.433 billion, including about P1.38 billion in infrastructure damage involving flood control structures, roads, bridges and seawalls.

READ: Santa Cruz residents in Occidental Mindoro evacuated as road dike breaks

Flood control structures in Barangays Tagumpay, Claudio Salgado and Victoria alone accounted for more than P1.17 billion in damage.

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Agricultural losses reached P53.33 million, affecting about 1,586 hectares of rice, corn and high-value crops. Livestock, poultry, fishing boats and residential properties were also damaged.

The state of calamity declaration allows the local government to mobilize disaster funds for relief and recovery. /cb