Photo by Marhom Ibrahim
COTABATO CITY—A day after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Paeng, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim declared a state of calamity in the Bangsamoro region on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
The torrential rain caused massive flooding and landslides in some parts of the region—particularly in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur—which displaced thousands of families and caused widespread damage to properties, infrastructure, power and telecommunications services, and casualties.
The situation prompted the Bangsamoro Government to respond quickly by conducting rescue and retrieval operations as well as humanitarian assistance to the flood victims.
“Pinaghandaan ng Bangsamoro Government ang Bagyong Paeng bago pa man ito tumama sa ating rehiyon; Ganyunpaman, ang walang tigil na pagbuhos ng ulan ang nagdulot ng pag-apaw ng mga ilog at dagat na siya namang nagdulot ng landslide at pagbaha,” Ebrahim said.
The Bangsamoro Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (BDRRMOC) raised the alert level from Code Blue to Code Red yesterday at 10:00 AM and activated the Emergency Operation Centers in the region.
“Pinapahalagahan ng Bangsamoro Governent ang buhay ng bawat mamamayan nito kaya’t patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa mga komunidad na malapit sa mga ilog at dagat na lumikas nang mas maaga sa tulong ng ating mga rescuers patungo sa mga evacuation centers,” he stressed.
The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) and the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) are currently responding to the flood-affected residents.
MSSD has provided hot meals to 1,350 individuals and 228 families in Maguindanao Provinces, and 350 individuals in Cotabato City.
MSSD fieldworkers continue to conduct monitoring, assessment, and coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) for continuous relief operations in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Ebrahim urges the Bangsamoro constituents to be vigilant and reminded them to be steadfast in this trying time. He calls for unity in the face of the disaster amidst the ongoing devastation of TS Paeng.
“Sa aking mga kababayan, ang Bagyong Paeng ay isang malaking pagsubok na ating malalagpasan kung tayo ay magkakaisa […] hinihingi namin ang inyong kooperasyon at sabay-sabay tayong manalangin ng agarang paghupa ng kalamidad na ito,” the Chief Minister said. (Aisah Abas/BIO)
