By GERRY LEE GORIT
Contributor

MAJOR events of the Kuyamis Festival will still push through despite the damages brought by the recent flood, a Misamis Oriental top official said.

The venue for the Kuyamis Festival swimsuit competition has been damaged, but Misamis Oriental Provincial Administrator John Venice Ladaga said they have already made adjustments to ensure that it will push through.

He said the organizers of the annual Kuyamis Festival had to move to another venue for its swimsuit competition since a resort in Badiangon, Gingoog is being cleaned up due to the damage brought by the strong winds and fierce waves.

“The venue for the swimsuit event (has been) moved to El Salvador City, but the provincial government has assured the Misamisnons that the Kuyamis Festival activities will push through. Hopefully, the weather condition will improve after the New Year,” Lagada said.

He added the provincial government of Misamis Oriental is still in the process of assessing the extent of the damage brought by flooding in some of the towns and cities.

Gov. Peter M. Unabia, with the provincial engineering and the Department of Public Works and Highways, has inspected the affected areas and ensured that rehabilitation and recovery efforts are to be undertaken with haste after the assessment, Ladaga said.

OCULAR. Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter M. Unabia (2nd from right, wearing a black hat and black jacket) inspects the extent of the damage of the flood that destroyed infrastructure, agriculture, and properties in the province. Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor

He said Gingoog City was hit the hardest by the flood and has sustained heavy damage to infrastructure.

The neighboring municipalities of Balingasag, Medina, Salay, and Balingoan were also gravely affected by the flooding brought by sustained rains caused by the shear line.

Ladaga said the Department of Public Works and Highways is expected to submit its full report on the extent of the province-wide damage to infrastructure and agriculture, including residences, with the corresponding cost tomorrow, Dec. 31.

He said the governor has also instructed the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to distribute assistance to the flooded residents.

Unabia has ordered the distribution of food packs to the affected families, as well as providing psychosocial interventions, especially to those who have evacuated, Ladaga said.