DAVAO CITY: One person has died, and two individuals are reported missing, while 20 others have sustained injuries in Davao Occidental due to severe rainfall linked to an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) that has persisted since last week. The Office of the Civil Defense in Davao Region (OCD-11) provided this update on Tuesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, the continuous downpour on December 26 led to widespread flooding and landslides affecting several municipalities in the Davao region, notably Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. The adverse weather conditions have impacted 6,476 families, or approximately 28,686 people, leaving one road section and three bridges in Davao Occidental impassable.

The heavy rains and resulting floods have caused partial damage to around 321 homes, with an additional 238 houses destroyed. The infrastructure damage in Davao Occidental accounted for 21 incidents, with two additional incidents recorded in Davao del Norte, culminating in an estimated financial loss of PHP215 million. In response to these conditions, Malita town in Davao Occidental has declared a state of calamity.

On December 30, OCD-11 reported that an initial batch of 1,107 hygiene kits, valued at PHP941,582, was distributed to the affected families and individuals in Davao Occidental. The distribution was facilitated by the Department of Public Works and Highways-11 in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Malita town.

“The OCD-11 continues to monitor the developments, even as it prepares to mobilize additional relief items and other resources to aid the local government units in addressing their needs at this time,” the agency stated, emphasizing its commitment to ongoing support and resource mobilization efforts.