From earthquake to flood: Jose Abad Santos mourns four dead as search continues for six missing

DAVAO CITY (July 16)  — Just weeks after surviving a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake, residents of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental are once again confronting tragedy as flash floods unleashed by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) claimed four lives and left six others missing.

The flooding, which swept through Barangay Tanuman on July 10 after hours of intense rainfall, has compounded the suffering of families already displaced by the powerful earthquake, many of whom are still living in tents and temporary shelters.

As of July 13, Mayor Jason John A. Joyce confirmed that four people had died, one was injured, and six remained missing as search, rescue, and retrieval operations continued.

Rescuers from the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, together with other emergency responders, have been racing against time despite difficult terrain and damaged access roads.

The road leading to Barangay Tanuman remains impassable, hampering rescue efforts, while floodwaters also swept away several houses in neighboring communities.

Local officials said no additional casualties were reported in other affected barangays after residents heeded early evacuation advisories and moved to safer areas before floodwaters rose.

With more rains expected, Joyce renewed his appeal for residents living near rivers, creeks, coastal communities, and landslide-prone areas to evacuate immediately whenever conditions become hazardous. He also warned the public against swimming or attempting to cross swollen rivers and coastal waters during heavy rains.

For many families, the latest disaster has reopened wounds that had barely begun to heal.

“I know the past days have been extremely difficult for all of us. Many of you are staying in tents and makeshift shelters, enduring continuous rains, strong winds, and recurring earthquakes,” Joyce said in a message to residents posted on social media.

Calling the situation heartbreaking, the mayor acknowledged the exhaustion and uncertainty facing displaced families but assured them that the municipal government remains committed to providing additional tarpaulins, lighting, and other essential needs in evacuation sites.

He stressed that rebuilding the municipality will require sustained cooperation among local and national government agencies, the provincial government, private organizations, humanitarian groups, and the community itself.

Despite enduring back-to-back disasters, Joyce urged residents not to lose hope.

“We will recover together. Jasenyos are stronger than 7.8,” he said, echoing a message of resilience as the municipality continues searching for the missing while helping survivors rebuild their lives.