ARMM provides help to families affected by 'Vinta'

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government has allocated funds and started extending various forms of assistance to families affected by the flash floods and landslides caused by Severe Tropical Storm Vinta.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said on Saturday that the operation center of the Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team in Cotabato City has coordinated with the local government units and the disaster risk reduction management councils across the region, especially in Lanao del Sur, to assess the impact of the storm.

As of Saturday, the province of Lanao del Sur was reported to have sustained the most damage. 

ARMM officials are closely monitoring the situation in Basilan because of the continuous downpour in the province.

“Members and officials of the regional Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team have already been deployed,” Hataman said.

Relief packs, according to the governor, are now being distributed in the areas affected by heavy rains.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, ARMM-HEART reported that 12 towns in Lanao del Sur experienced heavy flooding and landslides. These are: Wato Balindong, Bubong, Madalum, Tugaya, Bacolod Kalawi, Madamba, Tamparan, Piagapo, Calanogas, Maguing, Poona Bayabao and Ditsaan Ramain.

Death toll in the areas has risen to 21, Hataman said, citing the reports from ARMM-HEART personnel on ground.

Below is the number of reported deaths and missing people in Lanao del Sur, subject for verification by the Department of Health-ARMM:

• Piagapo: 10 dead
• Bacolod Kalawi: 2 dead, 1 missing
• Madalum: 4 dead, 1 missing
• Tamparan: 1 dead
• Tugaya: 2 dead
• Wato Balindong: 2 dead

In Poona Bayabao, 25 barangays were inundated. Three of which were reported to have sustained heavy damage to properties. 

The town’s provincial road remains impassable as of Saturday morning. Torrential rains triggered landslides in the towns of Tugaya, Bacolod-Kalawi and Madalum, resulting to road closure. 

“Challenging ang pagpasok sa Madalum for rescue and relief operations. Kailangan pa natin ng road clearance,” Hataman said.

The ARMM's Department of Public Works and Highways and its district engineering offices in Lanao del Sur are now clearing up the roads and bridges affected by the floods and landslides with support from the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

“Isang probinsiya lang sa rehiyon ang pinaka apektado ng bagyong Vinta, pero hindi natin sila dapat pabayaan lalo pa’t katatapos lang ng Marawi siege,” Hataman added.