The Mati City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) announced over the weekend that the 300 miners, who were stranded because of the flood in Davao Oriental have safely returned to their homes.
Mati CDRRMO head Charlemagne Bagasol clarified an earlier media report that the miners working for Hallmark Mining in Brgy. Macambol last Thursday, Jan. 18, were not “trapped.” They just could not pass through their usual route because of the rushing flood waters.
Citing information from a village captain, Bagasol said the miners were about to head home when the flood happened. They were advised to return to their camp and let the waters subside first before leaving the mining site.
“The company sent the miners back to their camp, so that they would be safer from the flood. Then the barangay official suggested a sea rescue and upon assessment we told them that it is dangerous because the current is strong and the waves are big ,” he reported.
The CDRRMO received assistance from the Philippine Army 66th Infantry Battalion to rescue the miners. The Mati City local government unit also deployed several heavy equipment to Brgy. Macambol for road-clearing operations.
By Thursday, Jan. 19, authorities confirmed the safety of the miners inside their camp. On Saturday, Jan. 20, they finally went home to their families safe and sound. Hallmark Mining also donated food provisions to 236 families in Macambol and 102 families in Cabuaya who are affected by the flooding.