Relocation pushed for flood-hit residents in SoCot

Flag of South Cotabato (Photo by The original uploader was Ninane at Dutch Wikipedia – Transferred from nl.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for the permanent relocation of residents in a village in Tampakan town who were affected by a series of flashfloods last month.

John Lorca, special operations officer of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said Friday they are working on the establishment of a relocation site in Barangay Kipalbig, Tampakan to facilitate the transfer of the flood victims.

He said at least 14 families have remained at Barangay Kipalbig’s evacuation center after flashfloods swept their homes at Purok Quezon last Sept. 17.

They were forced to leave their homes situated in the riparian zones and the banks of the Kipalbig River, which overflowed following heavy rains.

Lorca said barangay officials have initially decided to transfer the flood victims to a temporary relocation site at Purok Mabini in Kipalbig.

“We need to transfer them to safer grounds. So they will stay there while we are still searching for a permanent site,” he said.
Citing their records, he said a total of 75 individuals would be relocated from the danger zones along the banks of the Kipalbig River.

He said the affected area is considered unsuitable for dwelling due to the high risks of flashfloods during the rainy season.

The area has been experiencing occasional heavy rains since June.
Lorca said their office already provided relief assistance and shelter kits to the 14 displaced families.

Each shelter kit, which is worth P2,000, is composed of assorted nails, a hammer and a hand saw, he said.

The Department of Labor and Employment in Region 12 has also extended assistance to the evacuees through its cash-for-work program.(PNA)