ZAMBOANGA CITY, 6 June 2005 — Flash floods from weeks of rains have destroyed thousands of hectares of crop fields and submerged villages in the largely Muslim province of Maguindanao in the southern Philippines, prompting local officials to seek relief goods to feed hungry families.

The towns worst hit by flash floods were Tuca and Mamasapano and many villagers there have already evacuated to safer areas.

One village mosque in Tuca has been partly submerged in water and many thatched houses owned by farmers were either destroyed or swept away by rampaging waters, officials said.

“We have nothing now. Our corn fields are destroyed and everywhere you see is water, please help us and tell the government about our plight here,” said one woman, while she pointed to the horizon — once a field of green — but now a watery world for animals.

Hungry children have been seen eating uncooked maize to pass their craving for food and clean water supply was scarce.

Villagers said local government officials were sending them rice, but many families affected by the flash floods also needed food to survive until the water subsides or the weather improves.

“We need government aids, like funding for seeds and fertilizers. We have nothing left now. Even our houses here in the village are destroyed, even our place for worship, the mosque is underwater,” a villager named Ibrahim said.

Mamasapano town Mayor Datu Akmad Ampatuan said social workers were helping displaced villagers. He also appealed for provisions and medicines, saying, their supplies were not enough to feed the hungry.

Ampatuan said the lack of potable water system in the farming town of over 50,000 population is threatening the health of villagers.

The lack of government funding have hampered development not only in Mamasapano, but also in other areas in the province, a known stronghold of Muslim rebels in the south.

Maguindanao is one of five provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), torn by strife the past decades.

“We have to hang on here and make use of every available resources for the benefit of the people," Ampatuan said.

"The little we have is divided among all the villages, and unity is what driving us to hang on tightly and move forward and look on the bright side of life. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is our guide,” Ampatuan said.