DCDRRMC evacuates 230 families in Dipolog City

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, JAN. 8 (PIA)… The Dipolog City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DCDRRMC) have saved 230 families during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Auring in this part of Mindanao.

Tropical Storm Auring is the first typhoon to hit the country in 2013, particularly in Mindanao.

Councilor Cyril Ruiz, Adviser of the DCDRRMC said the evacuation of the affected families was done as water level at Dipolog River and other water tributaries ascended due to  heavy rain brought about by Typhoon Auring.

Ruiz said the affected families are residents of the low-lying areas of Barangay San Jose, Punta and  Punta- three barangays greatly affected by the rising water level caused by typhoon Auring.

Felipe “Tata” Mangila, designated Officer-in-Charge of Dipolog City Risk Reduction and Management Council said, of the 230 evacuated families, 90 families were from San Jose; 100 families from Punta and 40 families from Turno.

Affected families from Barangay Turno were evacuated to Turno Elementary School, evacuees from Punta were brought to Punta Covered Court while affected families from San Jose were brought to an elevated areas in the said barangay.

According to DCDRRMC no casualty was reported during the onslaught of typhoon Auring while the City Agriculturist Office is still assessing Auring’s damage in agriculture.

Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy lauded the CDRRMC for its immediate and timely action during the incident. “It only justified that we are worth the recognition given by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the Dipolog City CDRRMC as the best disaster council throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula region,” she said.

As 2012 Regional Kalasag Awardee, the Dipolog City DRRMC received P300,000.00 cash and a Plaque of Recognition and the right to represent the region in the national competition. (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)