About 25 families residing at the riverbanks of Siaton and Canaway in Siaton town, Negros Oriental, were evacuated Monday night because of flashfloods caused by torrential rains.

Angelo Tiongson of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the families were evacuated when the rivers overflowed and their houses were flooded.

The families stayed overnight at the town gymnasium and returned yesterday.

Several days of continuous rains triggered flooding in some areas of Negros Oriental although no casualty was reported, as tropical storm “Lawin” entered the Philippine area of responsibility.

Gov. Roel Degamo ordered for deputized disaster risk reduction and management officers in the province to be vigilant at all times. He said local government units must actively participate in disaster response and undertake mitigating measures to prevent loss of lives and damage to properties.

Meanwhile, the body of a 29-year-old man was found at the shore of Sta. Catalina town recently. He was believed to have fallen off the bridge and drowned.

Insp. Rogelio Pacificar, Sta. Catalina police chief, identified the body as that of Reynaldo Saguban Adaya, of Sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay San Pedro in the town.

Investigation showed that Adaya had drinks with a friend, whom the police did not identify, at around 11 p.m. on Sept. 19.

When the two went home, the friend crossed the small bridge at Omanod River first and reached the other end safely. Adaya, who was said to be intoxicated, followed but was swept downstream by rushing floodwaters.

Tiongson reiterated that the public must be vigilant, especially during the rainy season, since flooding is becoming a common occurrence in Negros Oriental due to climate change.*JFP

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