A devastating landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro, tragically caught three buses full of mining company employees on Tuesday night, leading to a dire emergency situation. Edward Macapili, an executive assistant specializing in information and communications for Davao de Oro, confirmed the distressing incident, which occurred as the workers were on their way home in Zone 1, Masara.
By 10 p.m., a glimmer of hope emerged as eight individuals were rescued from the calamity. The landslide’s wrath extended beyond the road, impacting residential areas and putting additional lives at risk.
In response to the disaster, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office/ Emergency Operations Center of Davao de Oro sprang into action, deploying its mountain search and rescue team to support the local efforts in Maco. The situation prompted forced evacuations in several barangays, including Masara, Mainit, Tagbaros, Elizalde, and Panibasan, as residents were urgently moved to safer grounds.
Evacuation centers were established in various locations such as Upper Elizalde, Andili High School, and Panibasan Church, among others, to provide refuge for those displaced by the landslide. A temporary command post has also been set up in Barangay Elizalde to coordinate the ongoing response efforts.
The provincial government has called on the public to pray for those affected and support the response teams working tirelessly on the ground. This incident adds to the increasing toll of casualties in the Davao Region, which has already reported 21 deaths due to floods and landslides, with Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte being significantly impacted.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) noted that the adverse effects of the Northeast Monsoon and a low-pressure area trough have affected over one million individuals across several regions, including Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.
With infrastructure damage estimated at over P54 million and hundreds of houses damaged, the communities face a long road to recovery. The disaster has also led to widespread class suspensions and work stoppages in affected areas, underscoring the extensive impact of this natural calamity.