Thousands flee floods in BARMM

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Twenty-nine municipalities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remained flooded yesterday following heavy rainfall that battered the BARMM last week.

The BARMM government has been extending humanitarian support since Monday to more than 97,000 residents in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) and two provinces located near the Ligawasan Delta.

The delta – a catch basin for more than a dozen rivers from Bukidnon, Cotabato, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat – overflowed last week due to heavy downpour.

Data from the office of BARMM Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua showed that 29 towns in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and SGA have been flooded since last week.

Although a part of the BARMM, the SGA is located in Cotabato province, which is under the administrative jurisdiction of Soccsksargen.

Emergency responders and members of disaster management offices in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur have evacuated up to 46,223 flood victims since Sunday.

Macacua yesterday said he directed the Bangsamoro disaster response team to expand operations to areas in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte that are located near swamps and rivers connected to the Ligawasan Delta.

Up to 26 tons of food supplies have been distributed to flood victims who are staying in makeshift evacuation centers and covered courts.