27 families spend New Year in evac center in Masbate

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- At least 27 families were evacuated in Uson, Masbate due to flash floods following intermittent heavy rains spawned by a low pressure area off Surigao del Sur, which has developed into tropical depression Agaton on New Year. Hernando Dorongon, Masbate provincial disaster risk reduction and management(PDRRMO) operations officer, said 22 families from Barangay Buenavista and another five families from Barangay Quezon due to waist- high floodwaters were evacuated to safety. “Most of the 22 families are staying at Buenavista church while the other five families are staying at the barangay hall,” said Dorongon. The barangay road at Purok 3 was rendered unpassable by the floodwaters. He also said that heavy rains triggered flash floods in Baleno and Mobo towns. “We can’t contact the local officials from Uson because there was no signal,” Dorongan added. Dorongan said a power supply from Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc. (Maselco) was cut off 12:00 midnight on December 31 while Masbateños were waiting to celebrate New Year. Electricity supply, however, was restored two hours later, said Dorongan. “We are now asking Maselco officials for an explanation,” he added.