3 Maguindanao del Sur towns under state of calamity; more rains feared

DAVAO CITY — Three towns in Maguindanao del Sur have been placed under state of calamity due to massive flooding that has affected at least 300,000 individuals.

- BY KEITH BACONGCO and ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

A report from the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said the towns of Ampatuan, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano in Maguindanao del Sur declared a state of calamity as many barangays remain flooded.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that all the 16 barangays of Datu Piang were flooded amid heavy rains in the province due to combined effects of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and low-pressure area (LPA) since May 14.

According to reports, the flooding in the town proper was due to the swelling of the nearby Rio Grande de Mindanao.

Other towns in the province affected by flooding are Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Guindulungan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Sultan sa Barongis, and Talayan.