Seven feared dead in Caraga floods

SURIGAO CITY — At least seven persons are now feared dead due to flashfloods in the Caraga region, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Antonio Dator Nañas, RDCC chairman, in a text message to The STAR, claimed that at least four persons were already confirmed dead while three others, who were swept away by rampaging flashfloods, were still missing.

The casualties include Rustom Diploma Jr., 5, of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; Josephine Gonzales, 43, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Rosalia Tabiad, 60, of Malicato, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; and Jose Lebaren, 9, of Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur. Declared missing were Lemuel MagaSerrano, 15; Rolando Maboy, 12; and another one from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra told The STAR that the area may soon be placed under a state of calamity, as damage to public infrastructure were estimated to reach P18 million.

Two other municipalities in Agusan del Sur — Sta. Josefa and Loreto — have earlier been placed under state of calamity.

Casurra said several city roads, particularly those situated in rural barangays were partially destroyed due to flooding and landslide.

Last Monday, at least nine newly built houses of Acean Heights Subdivision owned by Manila-based real estate developer REDEVCO, Inc. were destroyed by a landslide.

Casurra is looking into the contractors’ alleged violation of the Environment Compliance Certificate issued by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB).

There were reports that the contractors were quarrying at the subdivision even if it was dangerous to do so.

The flooding in Caraga Region have affected at least 36,546 families or 159,189 persons, particularly in Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, some parts of Surigao del Sur and Butuan City, the RDCC said.