‘Vinta’ affects more than 1,000 families in IN

Emergency assistance continues

Gov. Imee Marcos gets on her mobile phone to request the Provincial Engineering Office to help the Local Government of Pasuquin clear the fallen trees which caused major power outages in the province. (Alaric Yanos, PGIN-CMO)

By Grazielle Mae A. Sales

PGIN-CMO

More than 1000 houses in Ilocos Norte were either damaged or flooded, affecting 1,377 families, as typhoon Vinta (International name Krosa) pummeled northern Philippines from October 31 to November 1, latest report from the provincial disaster response council revealed.

According to the Ilocos Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Ilocos Norte PDRRMC) chaired by Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, Vinta’s strong winds left a total of 22 houses totally destroyed and 929 houses partially damaged, at least a hundred of which had their roofing blown off. Flooding also affected a total of 426 houses, most of which are in Pagudpud.

Several rice fields were also inundated amounting to an estimated damage of P21, 817,288.76.

“The agricultural damage is higher than expected…up to sixty percent is gone,” said Marcos, explaining that major crops and livestock from several towns have also suffered aside from rice.

In Ilocos Norte PDRRMC’s latest update, damages to the province’s agriculture and infrastructure, which included schools, roads, bridges, a hospital, Malacañang of the North and other buildings, reached a total of P32, 059,427.56.

The provincial government quickly responded through rescue operations and distribution of relief goods, particularly to the affected families.

Due to uprooted trees and falling branches scattered along the national highway, several motorists were stranded at Barangay Cadaratan in Bacarra all the way to Bangui. The DPWH was immediately tapped for their clearing operations.

At Barangay 27 in Laoag City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported at least 36 family members were evacuated at the Plaridel Elementary School.

In Dingras town, the galvanized roofing of Ernesto Maneha of Bungcag, Apollo Ceredon of Barangay Foz and Roel Suguitan of Barangay Ver were totally blown by strong winds, according to the municipal risk reduction and management council.

In Batac town, the provincial agriculture office reported at least 200 Tilapia breeders were taken off the pond.

In Marcos town, at least 46 houses were heavily damaged due to strong winds.

Electricity and communication lines were already restored in some areas on November 1 while emergency operations were successful on clearing out several roads from uprooted trees and electric posts.

A eucalyptus tree fell on telephone lines eventually breaking the concrete pole holding it. The lines dropped down to the highway causing minor traffic. The police, together with the residents of Barangay Cadaratan, Bacarra, immediately raised the lines albeit it is just a temporary fix. Governor Imee Marcos then made calls on her mobile phone to alert the concerned telecom company. (Alaric Yanos, PGIN-CMO)

While there are no reported casualties, 33-year old Blas Ramos from Barangay Davila, Pasuquin was reportedly injured after a tree fell on his vehicle during the surge.

Marcos has already tasked the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to identify the said affected families in order to render further financial assistance and provide them with roofing materials. (With a report from Leilanie G. Adriano)