‘Odette’ leaves 2 dead, P300M agri, infra damages in Ilocos Norte

The rescue team of the Ilocos Norte government prepositions rubber boats as supertyphoon Odette lashed the province on September 21.

Photo by Alaric Yanos

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporters

Strong winds and heavy rain accompanying super typhoon “Odette” (international codename Usagi) has destroyed more than P300 million worth of crops, roads, and dikes as of last report of the provincial government.

At least two persons were killed, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

On September 22, Mario Lozano, 55, of Barangay Subec in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte went out to fish but rescuers later found him dead near his house, the PDRRMC said.

The other fatality, Russel Batoon, 37, a lineman of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC), stepped on a live wire and was electrocuted while repairing a line at Barangay Pasaleng, also in Pagudpud.

While validating other damages as public storm signal in the province has been lifted, the PDRRMC report shows at least 19,678 persons were affected with one household totally damaged, seven partially damaged and 453 households were isolated with 3,522 households underwater mostly in Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Paoay, Bangui, Piddig and Bacarra.  

As of press time, rice fields in Ilocos Norte which are about to be harvested was estimated to have suffered almost P20 million in damages including high value commercial crops worth P613, 937; fisheries, P1,878,812; and livestock, P64,200. 

About P1.5 million damages has also been recorded in agriculture and infrastructure projects including a washed out protection dike near residential houses at Barangay 8 in Bacarra.

A landslide also occurred on September 21 along the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan boundary road but was cleared immediately by personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Some areas of barangay roads in Maan-anteng and Bubuos in Solsona town were also rendered impassable due to flooding on September 22 including some barangay roads in Casilian and Cabaroan in Bacarra; Parparoroc in Vintar; Fortuna in Marcos; Barangays San Juan, San Agustin, San Roque, Sta. Rita, Salbang, Pambaran and Monte in Paoay; and Barangays Loing, Anao, Bimmanga, Libnaoan, Mangitayag and Abucay in Piddig.

A fallen mango tree also led to a road closure along Barangay Camanggaan, Laoag City on September 21.

A 10-meter protection dike was breached by rampaging waters at Barangays Puttao and Bubuos in Solsona. Also, seven passengers of a Toyota Fortuner were rescued as their vehicle was submerged due to flood waters in Ar-ruay, Piddig.

To expedite rehabilitation of affected barangays, the provincial board declared on September 22 Ilocos Norte under a state of calamity to make use of an approximately P30 calamity fund of the province to assist flood victims and for the repair of wash out protection dikes and other agri-infrastructure projects here.

Meanwhile, Melchito Castro of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council met with Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos on September 24 to validate damages and provide immediate assistance to flood victims pending request for additional funding from the national government for the rehabilitation of agri-infrastructure damages.

LC suffers P4M damages in agri

IN Laoag City, the super typhoon left P4 million in agricultural damages according to the city agriculture office.

City agriculturist Oscar Recta reported the damages in rice crops amounted toP4,287,500; corn, P15,000; mongo, P15,120; livestock, P70,300 and fisheries, P17,400. Total damages reached P4,405,320.

Based on the report, Recta said about 290 hectares of rice lands was affected. Of the 290 hectares, Recta said that the about 40 hectares were ready for harvest, 150 hectares for ripening and 100 hectares still under reproductive stage.   

Relative to this, Recta hopes that financial assistance will be given to the affected farmers since the whole province declared under a State of Calamity in.

Bridges damaged

Assistant city engineer Fred Agpaoa, meanwhile also reported the damaged Dauraw Bridge in Barangay Pila wherein both approaches of the bridge were destroyed due to the strong flow of water.

The same problem was also reported on a bridge at Sitio Borobor in Barangay Lataag. The bridge was washed out by the strong current.

Relative to this, Agpaoa said his office had already made the necessary program of works and has appealed for its immediate approval so they could immediately repair the damaged bridges.

Agpaoa also said that his office has joined the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) team in a clearing operation of highways particularly at Barangay Camanggaan wherein a big mango tree fell, blocking the entire road. They also conducted the clearing operation along Suba Road.

The engineer also stated that the drainages in the city’s poblacion area held the water flow.

Families evacuated

City social welfare officer Aurora Corpuz, for her part, reported the ocular survey of affected Barangays Cataban, Caaoacan and 5.

The CSWDO report showed that about 34 families were affected at Barangay Cataban, 170 families at Caaoacan and 39 families at Barangay 5. All the affected families were given relief goods.

Seven families were evacuated to Plaridel Elementary School while three families were moved to A.P. Santos Elementary School.   

Police in full red alert

Laoag City police office officer-in-charge P/Supt. Jeffrey Gorospe stated that the police was in full red alert status during the typhoon and was in full coordination with the CDRRMC.

Gorospe added that despite the heavy rains, police mobile patrols continuously roamed around and monitored the low-lying areas, warning residents for possible evacuation to a higher and safer place.

CVF on official business during typhoon

Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas apologized as she was on official business in Manila when the super typhoon hit the city. She said Laoag Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas stood in for her as the CDRRMC was immediately convened.

The mayor added that city will be benefitted by assistance after the whole province was placed under a state of calamity.