900 families remain in Pikit evacuation centers

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 13): 900 families remain in Pikit evacuation centers

Over 900 families who fled from the towns of Pikit and Aleosan in North Cotabato after fighting between government forces and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) broke out over the weekend still remain at the evacuation centers here.

Tahira Kalantongan, Pikit municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer (MDRRMO), said these families came from Barangays Pagangen and Tubac in Aleosan town, and sitios Habitat at Kadingilan in Barangay Lagundi in Pikit.

Kalantongan said despite the authorities’ signal for the evacuees to return to their homes, still, they chose to stay at the evacuation centers.

The municipal social welfare and office has conducted relief operations to the affected families.

Kalantongan, however, admitted if tension as a result of the armed fighting continues, the Pikit local government unit could no longer afford to provide assistance to the evacuees.

Only last week, the Sangguniang Bayan here had declared the town under state of calamity due to recent flash floods.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=554504