Families affected by storm surge in SK get aid

At least 20 houses made of light materials were destroyed in storm surge that hit coastal communities in Kalamansig on Friday and Saturday. (Google maps)

COTABATO CITY — The local government of coastal town of Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat attended to the needs of about 150 families affected by storm surge over the weekend brought about by weather disturbances.

Kalamansig Mayor Ronan Garcia on Monday said the affected families are now temporarily housed at the municipal gymnasium in Barangay Poblacion, and covered courts in Barangay Dumangas Nuevo and Sta. Maria.

At least 20 houses made of light materials were destroyed in storm surge that hit coastal communities in Kalamansig on Friday and Saturday.

Kalamansig is a two-hour drive from Cotabato City.
Heavily affected villages are those of Barangay Risan Talisay and Port Area, Barangay Poblacion.

Salem Pajiji, a fisherman from Sulu who regularly docks in Kalamansig, said in a phone interview that it was his first time to experience storm surge since he moved to the area in 2008.

Garcia immediately directed local government employees, barangay officials, rescuers, barangay workers, social workers, midwives and other volunteers to help the affected families move to safer grounds.

In Kalamansig alone, at least 30 coconut trees were toppled down by strong winds; some fell on electric lines, triggering power outages.

Vice Mayor Rolando Garcia said the affected families have slowly returning home except for some whose houses were totally damaged.

In nearby Lebak town, also in Sultan Kudarat, more than 10 families have been affected by the storm surge in Purok Lansones, Sitio Bagwis in Barangay Salaman, according to Chief Inspector Leonel Delasan, Lebak town police chief.

The Lebak police distributed ready-to-eat food, clothing and kitchen utensils to the affected families in Barangay Tibpuan, coastal village of Lebak whose houses were shattered by weather disturbances.

Power services were immediately cut off as the storm surge hit the area, according to the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (Sukelco-Kalamansig-Lebak.)

In Barangay Paril, also in Kalamansig, power posts were toppled due to strong winds. Repairs had been made and power had been restored as of Sunday night, according to Sukelco.