Panabo City, Davao del Norte – May 10, 2025 — At least 25 families in the Poblacion area of Panabo City were rescued early Saturday morning after heavy rains caused by the easterlies triggered sudden flooding in several barangays.
Rescue operations began at around 1:00 a.m., led by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 11 – Panabo City Fire Station, in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Coast Guard Sub-Station Panabo. The Panabo City Health Office was also deployed to Barangay San Francisco, where evacuees were brought for health assessment and temporary shelter.
Among those rescued were children and elderly residents who were unable to leave their homes as floodwaters quickly rose. “This is no longer just a flood—this is a wake-up call,” one concerned resident posted on social media. “We cannot let this be our normal. We deserve a leader who acts.”
The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some criticizing local leaders for the city’s recurring flood problems. Calls for proactive governance and better disaster preparedness were voiced, with some netizens urging residents to demand accountability and leadership that anticipates crises rather than merely reacting to them.
However, the City Mayor’s Office responded by clarifying that long-term efforts to address flooding are already underway. In a statement, they emphasized that Panabo’s drainage issues have been a focus since the first term of Mayor Jose E. Relampagos. Despite political criticisms and limited funding, several projects have been implemented, including:
- Ongoing rehabilitation of the drainage system in flood-prone areas like Cagangohan using the city’s Disaster Fund;
- Expansion and repair of canals in Barangay Sto. Niño through DPWH and national funding;
- Construction and repair of city roads with integrated drainage components funded by the local government.
Officials acknowledged that infrastructure improvements are not yet 100% complete, especially with the rise in new buildings and businesses. Still, they assured the public that additional local funds have already been allocated to improve the drainage system further.
“In times of disaster, our priority is the safety of Panabo residents,” the Mayor’s Office stated. “Now is not the time to point fingers. We act where needed, and we thank our CDRRMO, BFP, and Coast Guard for their swift response—even in the early hours.”
As the community begins recovery, leaders call for unity and continued cooperation to improve resilience against future calamities.