MANILA, Philippines - The number of evacuees in Cotababato City due to continuous rain and massive flooding have reached to 5,000 families, a prelate said on Tuesday.
Father Edwin Degracia, rector of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, said the evacuees have been staying at the temporary shelters and tents along roads and at the Social Action Center gym of the Archdiocese of Cotabato.
"May isang linggo nang patuloy ang ulan dito sa Cotabato city at malaking banta sa paglubha ng baha dito ang pagdami ng water hyacincth," Degracia told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
The priest also said affected families in seven barangays need canned goods, rice, clothing, bedding linen and medicines.
Degracia said the flooding, which is being aggravated by the continuous torrential rains, in Cotabato City has begun a month ago.
He attributed massive flooding to the failure of the local and national government to clear water hyacinths from the Rio Grande River.