CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 4, 2009—Continuous rains and the ensuing flashfloods affected nearly 5,500 families while seven persons have been listed missing.

City Administrator Criselda Dayon said they are still awaiting updates from their rescue teams.

Several low-lying barangays in the city were submerged yesterday morning as continuous rains caused the Cagayan de Oro River to swell. Among the barangays affected most were Barangays Macasandig and Consolacion, with 1986 and 1488 affected families respectively as of yesterday afternoon.

“Dugay naku residente dani pero karun lang ko naka experience ug ing-ana ka daku nga baha” (I have been living here for a long time but this is the first time I experienced this), thus said Edgar Padillo, 35 years old while looking after his four minor children at an evacuation center, in an interview with CBCPNews.

The affected families are temporarily housed at barangay covered courts, gymnasiums, community chapels and at the City tourism Office, here.

The local government, the local Catholic Church and non-government organizations including the Rotary International have began providing food, clothing and medicines, mostly over-the-counter drugs to the victims.

Meanwhile, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro Social Action Director Fr. Jose Cabantan, SSJV said the incident was a combination of natural and man-made calamity.

In a phone interview, the church official said the flashfloods were partly caused by mining activities and the unabated tree cutting in the city’s hinterland villages, specifically in barangays Lumbia and Dansolihon.

In a local radio program, City Mayor Constantino Jaraula said similar events happened in 1916 and 1957 when floodwaters sought its own way other than the existing tributaries. (Maryann Alasay Zamora)