50 Maguindanao schools flooded

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — More than 50 schools in low-lying areas here were submerged under two feet deep floodwaters as rivers and swamps swelled due to heavy downpours.

Jamar Kulayan, regional education secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said yesterday some 9,000 grade school pupils would have to stay home until the floods recede.

“The teachers in these schools have been ordered to suspend classes for the safety of their pupils,” Kulayan said.

The provincial board declared 26 of 36 towns in the province under state of calamity last Friday.

Kulayan said most of the affected schools have been flooded since Monday. He said teachers might hold classes on higher ground accessible to their pupils. 

“But they are also advised to exercise (their) judgment call when necessary. They should not compromise the safety of the children,” Kulayan said. 

Meanwhile in North Cotabato, hundreds of Muslim and Christian families were displaced as flashfloods swept through farming enclaves in Kabacan town.

Municipal officials on Saturday said the evacuations started Monday after rivers straddling affected barangays overflowed due to heavy rains.

Reports obtained from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council showed a total of 8,435 families have been displaced since Friday.

 Radio reports said several villages in the towns of Midsayap, Mlang, Aleosan and Pikit have also been flooded.