576 families displaced by floods in S. Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines – At least 576 families in South Cotabato left their homes after their villages were flooded due to heavy rains since Saturday, officials said yesterday. 

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said the affected families, who are residents of Barangays Esperanza, San Jose, Lapos, Liberty Simsiman, Matapol and Poblacion, are staying at evacuation centers in Norala town.  

Bobong Dimpot, chief of the provincial barangay affairs office, said the floods also destroyed 79 hectares of agricultural crops, including palay and corn.