PIDDIG'S flood control dam at Brgy. Abucay holds back flood waters from the torrential rain in Piddig. (Berong Ver) |
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Heavy rains
brought about by the southwest monsoon left three deaths and around PHP282
million in damages, the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council
(PDRRMC) reported.
Based on its latest situation
report, the PDRRMC said the biggest damage was recorded on infrastructure
particularly on unfinished construction of national roads and bridges including
flood control projects at PHP226.7 million.
Floodwaters submerged rice fields and
other high value crops in some areas of the province due to torrential rains
over the past days, reaching damage of more than PHP3.5 million in crops,
PHP1.5 million in fisheries and around PHP779,000 in livestock.
The PDRRMC also reported 12
houses were partially damaged in the low-lying barangays of Carusipan in
Pasuquin; Cabulalaan in Bacarra; Ablan, Baoa East and Rayuray in Batac; and
Adams. It also reported the complete destruction of two other houses at Brgy. Caruan
in Pasuquin and Adams.
The report also stated that three
persons died in Badoc due to hypothermia; Nueva Era due to landslide; and San
Nicolas due to drowning.
The Ilocos Norte Sangguniang
Panlalawigan declared the province under a state of calamity on August 25, 2018.
Since August 26, Ilocos Norte
Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos led the inspection of damages and
distribution of relief goods to the 7,518 affected families or 32,285 persons
in the entire province.
State of calamity
“Declaring Ilocos Norte under
state of calamity would mean coordinated efforts in every part of our
province,” said Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba.
Likewise, Ms. Marcos also urged cooperation from everyone to ensure safety.
“Kinakailangan talaga na magtulungan
tayong lahat. Nag-umpisa na ang
pamamahagi natin ng mga relief goods at
isusunod din natin ang mga medical operations,” the governor said.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) launched
initial relief operations in the towns of Paoay, Pasuquin, and Burgos.
Other members of the PDRRMC remain on standby, ready with rescue teams,
equipment, and relief supplies stationed at the Provincial Capitol.
The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) also released an advisory on August
24, 2018 for tourists and locals to stay indoors and avoid travelling.
In the same light, the provincial government also closed tourist spots
including the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Malacañang of the North, the Marcos
Presidential Center, and other government-owned facilities until further
notice.
Piddig distributes relief goods
In Piddig, Ilocos Norte, Mayor Georgina Salazar-Guillen activated the
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), as well as
the Piddig Cares 24/7 which prepares the relief goods and other services
together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development.
The mayor added that she is confident enough in the flood protection thru
the water impounding dam built at Brgy. Abucay.
Piddig Liga ng mga Barangay President Dexter Melgarejo Yapo and Piddig
councilor Lendell Chua helped several affected town folks using their personal
equipment during their rescues.
According to MSWD officer Bimba Arafiles Aquino, the monsoon rains affected
a total of 14 out of 23 barangays in the town; 881 families; and 4,430
individuals from August 24 to 25, 2018. (With a report from PGIN-CMO, and Bernard Ver)
Comments
Post a Comment