Five people have been reported missing amid continuous downpours in the province which have prompted authorities to evacuate 38 families from various areas starting Monday.

Three of the missing are crewmen of a pumpboat which is believed to have capsized in waters off Panglao yesterday, said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

In Barangays Santo Tomas and Cabiguhan in Trinidad, two boys identified as Jomel Orvillo, 14, and Troy Andales, 4, were also reported missing as heavy rains hit the municipality.

Orivillo was carried away by strong current while he was swimming in the Santo Tomas River with his friends at 3 p.m. yesterday, said PO3 Floriano Hinlayagan of the Trinidad Police Station.

In the neighboring village of Cabiguhan, Andales accidentally fell into a river in the area while looking at coconuts being flushed by the floods, added Hinlayagan.

According to PDDRMC officer-in-charge Anthony Damalerio, 11 of the 38 families evacuated are from Barangay Camayan in Loboc while 15 of the other families are from Brgy. Pondol, Loon.

In Nueva Fuerza, Carrmen and Buyog Norte, Balilihan, eight and four families, respectively, were evacuated.

There have been no reported deaths due to floods and landslides in the province as of Tuesday morning.

For his part, Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Foundation Bohol coordinator, assured Damalerio that the group is ready to extend aid to those displaced by the heavy rains.

Damalerio said that the foundation has been the first non-government organization to offer help to those affected by the calamity.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bohol has started to conduct assessment operations as it moves to also offer assistance.

Disaster officials have also started to coordinate with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to assess the agricultural damages caused by the downpours. (Rey Tutas)