More than 23,000 families affected by flooding in Surigao del Sur

Severe flooding in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur occurred in late February 2026 due to continuous heavy rains brought by a shear line, not in January 2025 as initially mentioned. According to verified reports from MindaNews and other Philippine news sources, a total of 23,651 families or 91,087 individuals were displaced by the flooding. The disaster affected at least 19 barangays including Mangagoy, Tabon, Comawas, San Roque, and Tumanan, with floodwaters reaching waist-to-chest-deep levels in several communities. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), led by Jessril A. Oval, deployed rapid damage assessment teams and coordinated evacuation efforts.

Rescue operations were ongoing in Purok 7, Barangay Tabon (Maglikian-Requina area) as floodwaters continued to rise. The Philippine Red Cross reported that 143 volunteers assisted with evacuation activities in affected areas. At least 1,251 families (4,214 persons) were sheltered in 14 evacuation centers including schools, gymnasiums, and barangay halls, while others stayed with relatives or in safe areas. The flooding prompted pre-emptive evacuations and relief distribution efforts across the city.

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Medical teams provided doxycycline to prevent leptospirosis among affected residents. The disaster also caused infrastructure damage, with one house reported damaged in Barangay Comawas. The national highway at Km 15, Barangay San Jose was temporarily reduced to one lane due to soil erosion or road slip, but was restored to two lanes by Friday evening with DPWH continuing monitoring. Classes and government offices were suspended throughout the affected areas.

While no casualties were reported in Bislig City specifically, the broader Caraga region experienced multiple impacts from the shear line weather system. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had issued orange-to-red rainfall warnings for the area. Response efforts included ongoing validation of affected families and coordination between local government units, disaster response agencies, and humanitarian organizations to address the needs of displaced residents.