OCD: Davao landslide death toll now 15

MANILA, Philippines — The number of fatalities in a landslide that occurred in Monkayo, Davao  de Oro has reportedly increased to 15, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday.

OCD administrator and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center executive director Ariel Nepomuceno told The STAR that as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the death toll had climbed to 15.

Yesterday morning, the death toll was reported at 13 from 11 the previous day.

Nepomuceno said his office was still validating the figures, including the seven casualties that were reported shortly after the landslide on Mt. Diwata on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, 15 casualties were reported, but we still have to validate these. Allegedly, landslides caused their deaths,” Nepomuceno told The STAR on Viber yesterday.

He said the OCD offices in Zamboanga peninsula and Caraga were coordinating all rescue and assistance efforts of the national and local governments.

“We have to directly assist the more than 4,000 families in evacuation centers,”  Nepomuceno said.

Sara vows aid

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte has vowed to provide housing assistance for the families of the landslide victims. 

Duterte reportedly offered to talk to the local government unit about including landslide victims  in its housing programs. 

“Whatever’s lacking, the Office of the Vice President’s Davao satellite office can fill. The families requested housing and our commitment to them is we will extend their concerns to the local government of Monkayo,” Duterte said.

She visited the victims in Barangay Mount Diwata over the weekend to extend aid, including food and cash assistance.

Heavy rain spawned by a shear line last week submerged vast areas in Davao region, including several communities in Monkayo and Maragusan.

Duterte reminded residents to follow orders from the local government during calamities.

“The municipal disaster risk reduction and management council should  map out areas prone to floods and landslides,” she said. — Neil Jayson Servallos