ITCZ Claims Life in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental

A FATALITY due to the effects of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, has been recorded by the Office of the Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao).

Ednar Dayanghirang, regional director of OCD-Davao, said during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, that a 68-year-old man drowned in the river in Barangay Lapuan, Don Marcelino.

“Anaay isa nga kumpirmadong nga namatay sa lungsod sa Don Marcelino, Barangay Lapuan, usa ka 68 anyos nga lalaki (One confirmed fatality was reported in the town of Don Marcelino, Barangay Lapuan a 68-year-old man),” he said. 

According to the post-mortem report from the Municipal Office of Don Marcelino, which was provided to the media, the deceased was identified as Bandila Yuba Lagunsay, a resident of the barangay. 

Launsay was found by a group of children along the riverbank on May 19, 2025. 

The report indicated that the possible cause of death was blunt force trauma to Lagunsay’s head and body, with submersion or drowning listed as contributing factors.

Effects of ITCZ in Davao Region

Dayanghirang said several local government units (LGUs) in the region, particularly Davao City, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Norte, have been affected by the ITCZ. He said the weather system has impacted infrastructure such as roads and bridges, especially in Davao Occidental and Davao del Norte.

Based on the initial report on the ITCZ’s effects in the Davao Region, a total of nine road sections and two bridges were damaged. As of writing, both bridges remain impassable.

Tibungco, Sasa, Alfonso Angliongto, and Bunawan Proper in Davao City have experienced ankle-to-knee-deep road flooding on May 19, 2025.

A total of 35 families, or 93 individuals, who did not evacuate their homes, were affected by the flooding in Davao City. 

Dayanghirang said they have not yet consolidated the total cost of damages caused by the ITCZ, as the LGUs have yet to conduct a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).

Earlier, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a general flood advisory for the Davao Region at 6 a.m. on May 21, 2025. According to General Flood Advisory No. 16, the ITCZ affecting Mindanao and Palawan, as well as the easterlies impacting the entire country, may bring light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.

Rivers and tributaries in Cateel, Dapnan, Bangaga, Mahan-ub, Manorigao, Carag, Casaunan, Quinonoan, Bhagwan, Mayo, Bitnayan, Sumlog, Tangmoan, Dacongbonwa, Kabasagan, Manay, and Maya in Davao Oriental may also be affected. 

The advisory also included Tagum-Libuganon, Tuganay, and Saug in Davao del Norte; Matiao and Huo in Davao de Oro; Davao, Lasang, Bunawan, Matina, Talomo, Lipadasm Tagulaya Sibulan, Digosm and Padada Mainit in Davao del Sur; Panglan, Malita, Batanan, Lais, Lawan, Latuan, Calian, Lamita, Lawayon, Culama, Caburan, Maubio, Karabana, Tubayo, Kayapung, Malala, Capisolo, Tanoman smal, Kalbay, Butua, Nuin, Butula, Baki, Malagupo, Bologna, and Batulaki in Davao Occidental. 

“People living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the above-mentioned river systems and the local disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are still advised to be alert for possible flash floods and landslides,” the advisory stated. 

Efforts to mitigate disasters

Meanwhile, Dayanghira said they are working closely with LGUs to clear canals and drainage systems in order to prevent future flooding. He emphasized the importance of maintaining and coordinating drainage systems from national roads down to community-level infrastructure to prevent flooding in their areas.

“Dakong hagit sa atoang gobyerno og unsaon nato pag-align sa mga drinage system nato nga ang uban drainage systems dili konektado sa uban system pud ngadto sa lokal (A major challenge for our government is how to align our drainage systems, especially since some are not connected to the others at the local level),” he said. 

Dayanghirang also said he consulted with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding bridge damage and was informed that the approaches of some bridges, specifically those built with grouted rip-rap, are consistently damaged by river waters. 

In response, the DPWH said it has developed a new design using a silt pipe system. This new technique will be applied in the repair of the Lawayon Bridge in Davao Occidental. RGP