The Masara community has started to bury victims of a landslide that struck on Feb. 6, 2024. Davao de Oro government handout/file 

The death toll in the landslide that hit a community in Zone 1, Brgy. Masara in the town of Maco, Davao de Oro has risen to 98, based on the latest report of the provincial government on Saturday night.

Authorities are still searching for missing individuals on the 11th day of the search operations since the landslide occurred. 

Nine individuals remain missing in the rain-induced landslide that buried around 60 houses, three buses, jeepneys, other vehicles and structures, and a barangay hall.

Authorities said the landslide buried a huge portion of the Masara village.

The local government of Maco said the village will not be dissolved amid plans of strict enforcement of a no-build zone, as the LGU seeks to relocate in safer areas also in Barangay Masara.

The provincial government also plans to put up a memorial marker on the landslide ground zero to remember those who died in the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the provincial engineering office is preparing a site in the compound of a parish in Brgy. Elizalde that will be used as temporary shelter for displaced Masara residents.

Evacuees, who are currently staying in 10 evacuation centers in Mawab town, will be transferred to a tent city after the Department of Education only allotted 15 days for them to occupy these schools. - report from Hernel Tocmo

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