Surigao Sur under calamity state due to evacuations

By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent

TANDAG City––The Surigao del Sur government has placed the province under a state of calamity due to the massive evacuations, and the 3,227 lumad evacuees still living in tents at tents at the Surigao del Sur Provincial Sports Complex.
The declaration was made through Resolution no. 076-2015 that was unanimously approved by the provincial board during a meeting presided over by Vice Gov. Manuel Alameda in Bislig City.

The resolution was approved by Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel.
Pimentel said the declaration of the state of calamity was made because five towns with 37 tribal communities were affected by the massive evacuations after the Aug. 9 killings by armed groups in Bul-hoon, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

“This was followed last Sept. 1 when two tribal leaders and tribal school Alcadev executive director from Sitio Han-ayan Km. 16 in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, were murdered. Both killings caused massive evacuations from San Miguel and Lianga towns, and the people are now staying here in Tandag City, at our sports complex,” Pimentel said.
Provincial administrator Efren Rivas said three other Surigao del Sur towns were affected by the lumad unrest and mass evacuations.

Rivas said he was saddened after Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Abel Guzman informed him and Pimentel that the province’s stocks of relief goods were already running out, and funds would only last until Sept. 21.

“Beyond that, there will be no funds to buy food and other needs for the 3,227 evacuees. The declaration of the state of calamity is timely because it will allow our provincial government to look for other sources of funds for the evacuees,” Pimentel said.