Dolores town declares 25 upstream barangays under state of calamity

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 15, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Local Government of Dolores in Eastern Samar has passed a resolution declaring the 25 upstream barangays of the municipality under state of calamity due to the occurrence of floods triggered by heavy rains on December 6, 7 and 8 that caused heavy damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

The resolution which was passed in order that the local government can make use of the 5% calamity fund was approved by Vice Mayor Lucito Oraya who was then the acting mayor.

Official report coming from the local government of Dolores showed that the total damage incurred by the municipality due to the flooding amounted to P15,485,777.

The summary report which was signed by Vice Mayor Oraya showed that the total families affected numbered 4,369. The number of houses totally destroyed is seven while the number of houses partially damaged runs to 2,369.

The detailed report stated the damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the 25 upstream barangays.

Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo said that the damage to agriculture was pegged at P3,878,777, broken down to damage to livestock, rice, rootcrops and vegetable. The damage to rice alone was more than P2 Million. It was noted that 8 carabaos perished because of the flooding.

The damages to infrastructure included totally washed out waiting sheds and riverlandings in several barangays; scouring of River and Flood control projects; pipeline damage to water systems; washed out farm to market roads; and partially damaged school buildings, health centers and daycare centers.

Damage to infrastructure was placed at P9,350,000., Engineer Judith P. Oraya, the municipal engineer, reported.

The 25 upstream barangays which were affected by flooding are Dampigan, Bonghon, Sto. Niño, Tan-awan, Libertad, San Isidro, Aroganga, Caglao-an, San Roque, Sta. Cruz, Demingpi-an, Cagtabon, Magsaysay, Magombong, Buenavista, Cabago-an and Gap-ang.