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MRB-PMO monitors floods in North Cotabato and Maguindanao
By: MinDA
The Mindanao River Basin-Project Management Office (MRB-PMO) of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) visited the municipalities of Pikit,Cotabato Province and Pagalungan, Maguindanao in July and early August after floods covered some of the agriculture areas of these towns. Led by the MinDA Area Management OfficeSouth Central Mindanao (AMO-SCM), the MRBPMO monitored the stricken areas upon the request of the mayors of the affected towns.
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LGU-Pikit Mayor Sumulong K. Sultan and Municipal Engineer Sheila Ann Andao mentioned that nearly 29,000 families were forced to flee to higher areas and that the cost of the damage reached nearly P50 million pesos. This prompted the LGU to declare a state of calamity.
MinDA and the local officials shared the same view that this yearly recurrence requires a long-term solution involving the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
On August 2, 2022, a similar monitoring activity in the municipality of Pagalungan was conducted upon the request of Pagalungan Mayor Salik P. Mamasabulod. It was observed that some of the flood control structures along the Pagalungan River had collapsed which inundated farmlands and the national highway near the Tunggol Bridge. Two days later, on August 4, 2022, the MRBPMO again visited the site and witnessed the gradual erosion of the Pagalungan River banks. All observations and monitoring reports of the team shall be presented to the Mindanao River Basin Management Council during the next technical working group meeting and full council meeting before the year 2022 ends.
Under Executive Order 50, s. 2011, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is one of three agencies given tasks and responsibilities over the Mindanao River Basin. The other two government agencies are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-River Basin Control Office (DENRRBCO) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The strong rains in Pikit eroded the far side of the river bank. Over the other side of the photo is the strategic Tunggol Bridge. Meeting with Pikit, North Cotabato Mayor Sumulong Sultan on August 2, 2022 regarding the recent floods that hit agricultural parts of the town in June and July 2022.
