Davao del Norte heeds ‘Pablo’, ‘Yolanda’ lessons

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The Province of Davao del Norte has taken heed of the painful and costly lessons of Super Typhoons ‘Pablo’ and ‘Yolanda’ by instituting local policies that help address climate change and build the resilience of the people.

Though it has not yet bore the brunt of such extreme weather phenomena, the province has mainstreamed both the disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies to its development thrusts, in response to the mounting call to reverse global warming.

Provincial executives have also formally introduced DRR and CCA to the vision and mission of Davao del Norte, while on the process of formulating the proposed executive-legislative agenda (ELA) of the province for the next three years.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the action is but a small but positive contribution to help mitigate climate change.

“This is our concrete response to the growing call to reverse global warming,” the governor said, at the recent meeting of the joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management/Climate Change Adaptation Councils.

Del Rosario said that Pablo’s wrath in neighboring provinces of Composela Valley and Davao Oriental in 2012, as well as, Yolanda’s massive devastation in the Visayas, recently, should serve as a warning to all.

The local chief executive reiterated the commitment and shared responsibility of the province in helping stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

“As a local government, we deem it our moral obligation to do something about climate change,” he said

The governor revealed the province is slated to conduct a series of consultations with local and national experts to be able to effectively integrate the concept of climate change to the local DRR program to build the coping mechanism of the province.

On December 3, 2013, the province is also set to launch the expanded Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management) in Barangay Gabuyan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

The grassroots disaster preparedness campaign is targeting 60 barangays next year for its massive emergency info drive to protect, especially the vulnerable families from the adverse impact of natural cataclysmic events, such as typhoons, floods, landslides, among others.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario presides over the regular meeting of the joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation Councils of Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario presides over the regular meeting of the joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation Councils of Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Members attend the regular meeting of the joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation Councils of Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

OCD-XI Regional Director retired BGen. Loreto Rirao briefs the joint PDRRM-PCCA Councils of Davao del Norte on updating the local DRRM plan. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor holds 1st corn congress

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The provincial government of Davao del Norte recognized the value of the corn, as the second most important crop in the country, by holding the first-ever Corn Congress of the province.

Corn farmers from all the local government units of the province converged at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan to give the needed boost to the corn sector, where about 14 million Filipinos depend on.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario assured to provide the essential support to the sector, in line with the province’s goal of increasing production to attain food security.

“We aim to increase production of quality corn for human consumption, as well as to empower the farmers and increase their income, thereby improving their quality of life,” he said.

He said program of the province is anchored on the Department of Agriculture’s Agri-Pinoy Corn Program.

The governor encouraged the corn growers not to waver in their love of planting the crop, and to find more opportunities to expand their areas to increase income and sustain their livelihood.

“Ipadayon ang paghigugma sa pagtanum ug mais kay ang inyong kalamposan alang usab sa kalambuan sa probinsya (Sustain your passion for planting corn since your success will redound to the development of the province),” he said.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario assures support to corn, as the country’s second most important crop, in order to attain food sufficiency, at the first Provincial Corn Congress at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario encourages corn farmers to sustain their passion for planting the country’s second most important crop at the first Provincial Corn Congress at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

Corn farmers eagerly listen to Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario as he encourages them to sustain their passion for planting the country’s second most important crop at the first Provincial Corn Congress at the Bulwagan. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor bats for total human dev’t through sports

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario stresses the importance of sports in attaining total development at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Athletes celebrate after lighting the cauldron at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Delegates chant as they pass the grandstand at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Some of the contingents at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario raises the Davao del Norte Banner at the opening of the 2013 Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Schools Division Superintendent Josephine Fadul raises the Division Banner at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, Schools Division Superintendent Josephine Fadul, B.E. Dujali Mayor Lolita Moral, among other officials, enjoy the presentations at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex. noel baguio/davnor pio

Davao del Norte, November 25, 2013 – The province of Davao del Norte harnesses the power of sports in tandem with education to attain holistic development among the youth.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the provincial government is employing sports as the ultimate vehicle for achieving total human development.

According to him, sports goes hand in hand with education, which is among the priority components of his centerpiece human-centered P.E.O.P.L.E. agenda.

He revealed this has inspired his administration to establish the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC), to realize excellence in sports and turn the province into the sports capital of the region.

“We long to develop our human capital through education. We are also employing sports towards the same end,” he said at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet on Monday.

Over a thousand coaches, officials and athletes joined the kick off ceremony of the week-long competition at the DNSTC.

Hostilities will begin on Tuesday to select team heroes who will represent the province in the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association Meet (DAVRAA) and eventually the Palarong Pambansa.

During their meeting last September, members of the DAVRAA Board voted to bring the DAVRAA meet back to Davao del Norte early next year.

Davao del Norte first hosted the regional meet last February in its new world-class sports facility.

The province is fresh from facilitating the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifier last August.

It is also confident that it could secure the right to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2015, among other big-ticket sporting events.

DavNor to help rebuild Yolanda-hit areas

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte, – The provincial government and the various local government units of Davao del Norte will pool their resources together to help in reconstructing areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

The province and the League of Cities/Municipalities in the Philippines-Davao del Norte Chapter resolved to chip in some amount to put up shelters for survivors, in addition to sending more relief assistance to the ravaged areas.

This is in response to the call of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for more donations from the LGUs intended for rebuilding efforts.

During the LCP/LMP-DavNor meeting at the Tahanan ng Lalawigan last Friday, the mayors also settled to augment the recovery contingent that the province is sending to Leyte this week.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will be meeting this Monday to map out the details of the relief and recovery aid that will be dispatched.

The provincial officials and employees have individually given their cash donations for the survivors in Tacloban City. As of Friday, partial tally of their contributions have already reached P244,750.

It can be recalled that the provincial government and the Diocese of Tagum collaborated to bring relief assistance to Leyte last November 12, 2013.

The province has also earlier sent P1-million check to the provincial government of Bohol as aid for the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October.

LMP/LCP President Mayor Edgardo Timbol of Kapalong presides over the meeting of the mayors at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

LMP/LCP President Mayor Edgardo Timbol of Kapalong presides over the meeting of the mayors at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

Gov asks Dabaonons to heed emergency warnings

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario urged his constituents to heed emergency warnings and immediately take action to prevent loss of lives during calamities.

The governor said the provincial disaster risk reduction management council (PDRRMC), along with the local DRRMCs in the province, have not failed in their avowed duty to warn, inform and advise the public in times of emergencies.

It has also been a standard operating procedure for the disaster councils to conduct preemptive evacuation in the onset of storm warnings and potential flooding, as part of the established early warning and preparedness system.

However, del Rosario lamented that some people still continue to ignore the warnings, which resulted to the death of two persons in the aftermath of Tropical Depression Zoraida.

The bodies of 22-year old Ben Banhaw from Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali town and 20-year old Dowen Anito of Sampao, Kapalong, Davao del Norte were both found Friday morning after going missing for three days.

Apparently unmindful of the warnings of TD Zoraida, Banhaw disappeared while trying to salvage driftwoods floating in the raging Panaga River, while Anito vanished when he carelessly swam across the rampaging floods over the Sampao River.

“I hope our people will learn to heed the warnings,” del Rosario said.

He pointed out the victims could have thought they could easily ride out the storm, as it only brought intermittent rains and negligible winds.

But, their indifference has caused their precious lives.

The PDRRMC reported that a total of 7,575 families were affected by the storm, with some 1,697 families evacuated to safer grounds when intermittent rains caused the rivers to swell.

Total damage to crops was pegged at P22,145,325, as well as, P4,022,591 to infrastructures.

The province has already sent relief augmentation to the affected communities.

The staff of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office distribute relief goods to the flood victims of Mesaoy, New Corella, Davao del Norte, as augmentation assistance coming from the calamity funds of the provincial government. Ondoy Laquitao/davnor pio

Mayor Lolita Moral, right and PSWDO Asst. Dept. Head Rose Rapista distribute relief goods to the flood victims of Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali, Davao del Norte, as augmentation assistance coming from the calamity funds of the provincial government. Ondoy Laquitao/davnor pio

Mayor Lolita Moral, right and PSWDO Asst. Dept. Head Rose Rapista distribute relief goods to the flood victims of Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali, Davao del Norte, as augmentation assistance coming from the calamity funds of the provincial government. Ondoy Laquitao/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario leads the launch of the new P1.2-M Home Economics Building of the Lungaog Elementary School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pi

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, right, charged the school and local officials with the responsibility of taking care of the new P1.2-M Home Economics Building of the Lungaog Elementary School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor to build permanent scouting campsite

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The provincial government of Davao del Norte is bent on keeping the tradition of scouting alive by establishing a permanent scout camp that could host a large number of scouting groups and activities all year round.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario announced at the grand opening of the 28th Council Jamborette/Kab-o-rama that he would facilitate the donation of a 3-hectare lot to the Boy Scout of the Philippines – Davao del Norte Council (BSP-DNC).

The forested property, which is newly acquired by the Provincial Capitol, is located at the back of the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center in Mankilam, Tagum City.

“I am offering the 3-hectare lot as a permanent camp to accommodate large gatherings of scouts in the province,” he declared at the jamborette recently held in Cambanogoy Elementary School, Asuncion Davao del Norte.

The 4-day event was attended by over a thousand scouters from all the schools divisions in the province.

Del Rosario said the proposed facility will feature a log cabin that would house the BSP office and the camping huts of the various local government units.

The governor vowed to make the camp a showcase to all the scouting councils throughout the country by pushing for the integration of the boy scout and girl scout troops in the province.

The Chair of the BSP-DNC said there is no reason to segregate the programs and activities of the two scouting movements, since they share similar missions and standards for their members.

BSP-DNC’s first Vice Chair and former Vice Governor Pedro San Jose said he was very much elated that the scouts in the province will finally have a place they can call their home.

“I have never felt this happy in all my boy scout years,” said the 81-year old scout official.

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario announces Capitols’ donation of a 3-hectare lot to the Boy Scout of the Philippines – Davao del Norte Council to the rapturous applause of scouters and scouting officials of Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Boy Scout of the Philippines-Davao del Norte Council first Vice Chair and former Vice Governor Pedro San Jose, left, thanks Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, right, for announcing Capitols’ donation of a 3-hectare lot to the scouting council. noel baguio/davnor pio

Scouters recite the Boy Scout Pledge during opening of the 28th Council Jamborette/Kab-o-rama in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Scouters join the pass in review during opening of the 28th Council Jamborette/Kab-o-rama in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, first Vice Chair and former Vice Gov. Pedro San Jose and Mayor Joseph Nilo Pareñas acknowledge the colors during pass in review at the opening of the 28th Council Jamborette/Kab-o-rama in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, first Vice Chair and former Vice Gov. Pedro San Jose and Mayor Joseph Nilo Parenas join scouters in reciting the Boy Scout Pledge at the opening of the 28th Council Jamborette/Kab-o-rama in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Residents grateful for new classroom, access road

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – Residents of a remote community were grateful to the provincial government for giving them a new classroom and for repairing the access road leading to the small school.

Dionesia Bustamante, President of the Parents, Teachers Association of Mabuhay Elementary School in Sitio Mabuhay, Capungagan, Kapalong town, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for realizing their dream of an additional classroom.

“We have been longing for this new classroom,’ she said at the inauguration of the project, which was funded by the Special Education Fund of the province in the amount of P813,874.26.

She cited the obvious lack of facilities in the distant school that is only manned by eight teachers.

She also recalled how school activities were easily disrupted by floods before the repair of the access road.

The province sliced P430,000 from its calamity fund to elevate the road and for the installation of culverts.

Del Rosario said the Capitol prioritized the projects as it continues to invest on the future of the children.

“Providing better education is the key measure of our success and the best legacy for the Dabaonons,” he said.

The province intends to build about 20 new classrooms in various deprived schools under the SEF this year through a loan agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The governor said the effort of the province is in support to the education reform agenda of the Aquino government, which seeks to build better human capital and more employable people.

Mayor Edgardo Timbol assisted the governor in launching the projects, together with Vice Mayor Ma. Theresa Timbol, Education Supervisor Dr. Alma Agayan, Barangay Captain-elect Melchor Royo and other local officials.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario reiterates Capitol continues to invest on the future of the children by supporting the education sector. Noel baguio/davnor pio

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario reiterates Capitol continues to invest on the future of the children by supporting the education sector. Noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and Mayor Edgardo Timbol lead the inauguration of a new classroom of the Mabuhay Elementary School in Capungagan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, which was funded by the special education fund of the province. Noel baguio/davnor pio

Dionesia Bustamante, PTA President of Mabuhay Elementary School, Capungagan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte thanked Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario for realizing their dream of new classroom.

Mayor Edgardo Timbol assures his continued support to the education sector of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor distributes relief to flood victims

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte – The provincial government of Davao del Norte started giving out family food packs and other relief items to the victims of flooding caused by Tropical Depression Zoraida.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario ordered Thursday the release of relief goods to some 1,273 families in B.E. Dujali town, who were affected by flashfloods.

The assistance from the province augmented the aid that was given earlier by the municipal government of B.E. Dujali.

As of 5:30 pm Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that a total of 2,032 families were affected by flooding in six local government units of the province.

Many of the 1,069 families that were evacuated to various evacuation centers have also returned home.

Initial reports have placed the total damage to crops and properties at about P20 million.

However, as of 3 pm Thursday, the search and retrieval operations are still on-going to find the bodies of 22-year old Ben Banhaw from Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali and 20-year old Dowen Anito of Sampao, Kapalong town, who went missing Tuesday afternoon.

Banhaw disappeared in raging floodwaters while trying to salvage driftwoods, while Anito vanished when he carelessly swam across rampaging floods.

Dujali Mayor Lolita Moral personally oversaw the SAR operations of the composite RDR rescue team and BEDERS responders in sweeping the over 20-kilometer stretch from the Panaga River in Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali up to the estuary of the Tuganay River in La Paz, Carmen, Davao del Norte in order to find Banhaw.

Rescuers and residents help mount the PDRRMC rubber boat at the estuary of the Tuganay River at La Paz, Carmen, Davao del Norte for the SAR operation to find 22-year old Ben Banhaw, who disappeared while salvaging driftwoods in the raging floodwaters of Panaga River some 20 kilometers upstream. noel baguio/davnor pio

Mayor Lolita Moral, center, oversees the SAR operations of the composite RDR rescue team and BEDERS responders to find Ben Banhaw, who disappeared while salvaging driftwoods at the Panaga River in Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali, Davao del Norte. noel baguio/davnor pio

Residents of Tanglaw, Dujali, Davao del Norte invoke divine intervention before the start of the search and retrieval operation to find 22-year old Ben Banhaw, who disappeared while salvaging driftwoods at the Panaga River. noel baguio/davnor pio

Rescuers on board the PDRRMC rubber boat sweep the estuary of the Tuganay River at La Paz, Carmen, Davao del Norte to find 22-year old Ben Banhaw, who disappeared while salvaging driftwoods in the raging floodwaters of Panaga River some 20 kilometers upstream. noel baguio/davnor pio

The RDR rescue team were joined by some residents in sweeping the Panaga River in Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali, Davao del Norte to find 22-year old Ben Banhaw, who disappeared while salvaging driftwoods in raging floodwaters. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor gives assistance to typhoon, quake victims in Visayas

by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte, November 14, 2013 – The Diocese of the City of Tagum and the provincial government of Davao del Norte collaborated in sending three truckloads of relief goods to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario revealed the province and the Diocese of Tagum brought some 400 sacks of relief items to Leyte, during the Biz Talk at the Big 8 media forum at the Big 8 Hotel in Tagum City.

The bulk of the assistance were gathered from donations of generous parishioners initiated by Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, while the province provided the transportation.

Manlapaz earlier bared his heart for Leyte considering his stint as the former bishop of Maasin, Southern Leyte from 1981 until 1986.

At the same forum, Gov. del Rosario also expressed his concern over security matters in the aftermath of typhoons.

“We should make sure that our security forces must be well-organized and they have to support our relief operations for security purposes when calamity strikes in the province,” Gov. del Rosario assured.

The governor said there were no major damages brought by TD Zoraida to the province, except for two reported missing individuals who neglected the warnings.

Search and retrieval operations are still on-going to find the bodies of 22-year old Ben Banhaw from Tanglaw, B.E. Dujali and 20-year old Dowen Anito of Sampao, Kapalong town, who went missing Tuesday afternoon.

To protect the economic gains and preserve human development in the province, Del Rosario integrated the provincial disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation into the policies and thrusts of the province.

This is in pursuit with his six-point agenda called P.E.O.P.L.E., to mitigate and take pre-emptive measures against disaster.

The province has likewise intensified its disaster risk reduction awareness campaign through the Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy on Natural Disasters Awareness and Management) program, that seeks to protect, especially the vulnerable areas from the adverse impact of natural cataclysmic events, such as typhoons, floods, landslides, and the likes.

Also present at the media forum was Vice-Governor Suaybaguio, Jr. who bared that he is set to visit the province of Bohol next week to personally hand over the P1-million cheque as financial assistance for the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the province last month that damaged centuries-old historic structures.

Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario talks about mainstreaming climate change in the province during Governor’s Hour at Big 8 Hotel, Tagum City. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Vice-Gov. Victorio R. Suaybagiuo, Jr. states his support to the disaster risk reduction awareness campaign of Gov. del Rosario during Governor’s Hour held on November 13, 2013 at Big 8 Hotel, Tagum City. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PI

Media practitioners attends Tagum Biz Talk at Big 8 with guests Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario and Vice-Gov. Victorio R. Suaybaguio, Jr. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

Big 8 Hotel personnel pose with Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario (center) during Governor’s Hour at Big 8 Hotel, Tagum City. Photo by Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO

No casualty, major damage in DavNor

by Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

Davao del Norte, November 12, 2013 – An initial 360 families in four local government units were affected by flooding caused by intermittent rains brought about by Tropical Depression Zoraida.

However, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the typhoon has not wreaked a major damage in the province as its rainbands pounded across most of Mindanao and Visayas.

He said he did not expect major damages, especially to crops and properties since TD Zoraida only brought intermittent rains and negligible winds.

No casualty was also reported by the respective local disaster risk reduction management councils.

Del Rosario said the concerned LGUs have conducted pre-emptive evacuation to ensure the safety of affected families.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC)-Operation Center said some 58 percent of the families affected were evacuated to safety by the concerned LGUs when Zoraida made landfall in Caraga, Davao Oriental at around 9 am Tuesday.

Del Rosario expects the evacuees to start returning to their homes on Wednesday, as soon as the floodwaters subside.

As the affected upstream LGUs began to dry up, the low-lying communities downstream received the bulk of the floodwaters causing some roads to be impassable as of 3 pm in the same day, including the Causwagan-GMAP Road-Matin-ao Road in New Corella; Kinamayan, Sto. Tomas-Tagum City Road; Sagayen-Asuncion Road; and, New Camiling-Carmen Road.

PAGASA lowered TD Zoraida to a low pressure area (LPA) as of 2 pm Tuesday lifting the Storm Warning Signal No. 1 over Davao del Norte and the rest of the provinces in the region

However, the governor directed the incident command center of the province to continue monitoring the situation.

Classes in all levels are also expected to resume in the province by Wednesday.

In Sto. Tomas town, Mayor Benigno Andamon declared a state of calamity after nine barangays were affected by the flooding.

PDRRMC OpCen OIC Eric Rosillo monitors the 6-meter wide water scouring of a road shoulder which threatens to damage the National Highway in Tiburcia, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, at the height of TD Zoraida on Tuesday. noel baguio/davnor pio

PDRRMC OpCen OIC Eric Rosillo monitors the water level of the Saug River as raging waters from upstream continue to increase due to intermittent rains caused by TD Zoraida. noel baguio/davnor pio

Sto. Tomas Mayor Benigno Andamon and PDRRMC OpCen OIC Eric Rosillo monitor the water level at the Menzi Bridge as raging waters from upstream continue to increase due to intermittent rains caused by TD Zoraida. noel baguio/davnor pio

DavNor Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, center, and Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Jr., right, monitor the situation on the ground at the PDRRMC-Operation Center, as TD Zoraida has lowered to a low pressure area as of 2 pm Tuesday. noel baguio/davnor pio

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario directs the incident command center of the province to continue monitoring the situation, as TD Zoraida has lowered into a low pressure area as of 2 pm Tuesday. noel baguio/davnor pio