69 Philippine provinces within disaster zone

MANILA, Philippines – About 69 of the 80 provinces in the country are prone to "catastrophic and extreme events" related to massive flooding, a watershed management specialist warned today.

Of the figure, 24 provinces would be La Nina prone from January to March 2012, according to Dr. Esteban Godilano, a geospatial-watershed management specialist.

His calculations revealed that during the first quarter these provinces could be underwater if the government would not do something to minimize the effects of La Nina.

The following the provinces are Rizal, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Albay, Biliran, Catanduanes, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands,Surigao del Sur, and Western Samar.

"I'm no Nostradamus but based on scientific data these places will surely be underwater during these months,” said Godilano, a board member of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP).

He added that many of the provinces, including Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley, Leyte, Antipolo, and Quezon, already experienced La Nina episodes during the months of October to December last year.

Godilano said he already met with both national and local officials in Cagayan de Oro thrice to warn them of a scenario of flashfloods and massive flooding.

He said he has come up with both climate change and geo-hazard maps to inform the national and local government agencies of the impending danger.

"They knew about these maps because we have met and presented these documents," Godilano said, adding that even the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council knew about these catastrophic scenarios.

He said in the few days after he saw the devastation and deaths in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, he could not sleep.

"It was very difficult for me to sleep with all the dead, including children, lined up the streets in these provinces," Godilano said.

He, however, said his conscience has not bothered him because he did not keep the information and the data to himself.

"My conscience is clear. I have not kept this information and data to the public. I did not told them to buy these maps from me," Godilano stressed.

Meanwhile, the CCCP called on President Benigno Aquino III to immediately declare Cagayan de Oro a protected area and adopt the holistic watershed management program.

The group also proposed that the President declare a moratorium on all mining operations in highly vulnerable areas and full implementation of a total log ban without exception.

Meantime, the United Nations is appealing for $28 million to help the Philippines respond to the needs of half a million people in the wake of last week's flash floods. More than 1,000 have been confirmed dead.

U.N. humanitarian coordinator Soe Nyunt-U compared the destruction in two southern coastal cities to a tsunami. He raised concern about disease outbreaks among the thousands living in evacuation centers after their houses were washed away last Friday when a tropical storm unleashed flash floods.

He told reporters in Manila on Thursday that the funds will be used for water, food, shelter and essential household items for the next three months.

Nyunt-U says he's hopeful donors and foreign governments will respond to the appeal despite the global economic crisis. – With AP

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The Philippine STAR Group appeals to kindhearted individuals and institutions to join its fund drive to assist victims of tropical storm “Sendong.”

Donations from abroad can be sent through i-Remit, which will be accepting donations in over 700 locations in 26 countries all over the world.

Cash donations from local donors may be deposited to: The Philippine STAR Operation Damayan c/o Metrobank Aduana Branch Savings Account No. 151-304-161622-9 (Please fax deposit slip to tel. no. 301-9598 c/o Operation Damayan).