383 families affected in La Union: Typhoons leave eight dead in Luzon prov’s

Eight people have been confirmed killed and three more went missing in La Union  due to typhoon and floods the past days.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that a total of 383 families or 1,617 persons were affected by Typhoon Igmein seven municipalities in La Union province.

           

The NDRRMC reported that four of the fatalities -- Michael Estacio, RenanteFrigillana, Patrick Ramilo and Jimmy Jesus Gapuz -- were recorded in Ilocos region.

           

Three more were recorded in Western Mindanao and they were identified as Michael Suarez Dajoya, Eyen Tantan Opamin and Rene Rasaga. The eight fatality was identified as Jimmy Grimaldo of Quezon province.

           

The three missing persons were Amado Rimando, John Rex Gapuz and CrisantoSibayan, all residents of La Union province.

           

In La Union, despite floods, the province averted major damage and possible deaths during  the continuous heavy rains brought by recent typhoons because  of the systematic preparations and rescue and relief operations conducted by the La Union Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

           

This was revealed by Adamor Dagang, this city’s Public Information Officer and Tourism Officer.

           

Typhoon “Helen” started late August 14 until the early morning of August 15 and coincided with one of the highest high tides recorded for the year, Dagang  said.

           

The latest reports released by the PDRRMC last August 24 showed more than 21,000 families were reached and assisted inside and outside the evacuation centers.

           

A total of 281 barangays out of La Union’s 576 were affected.

           

Low-lying areas along creeks and coastal areas were engulfed with flood as high as two meters, totally damaging 56 homes and partially damaging 68. Province-wide, only one death was posted in Bangar while another four were injured.

           

Combined cost of assistance given by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, La Union 1st District Rep. Victor F. Ortega, PDRRMC, Sangguniang Barangays, Holcim, La Union Host Lions Club, Philippine Red Cross, GMA and ABS-CBN reached almost P6,500,000.

           

Gov. Manuel Ortega, PDRRMC Chairman, ordered the Office of Provincial Agriculturist to prioritize immediate assistance to farmers and fisherfolks.

Ortega personally supervised the clearing operations conducted by the Provincial Engineer’s Office in major thoroughfares in the province to ensure immediate distribution of relief to affected areas.

           

In agriculture, about 180 hectares of riceland were totally damaged while more than 2,530 hectares were partially damaged, posting more than Php 7,000,000 damage cost.  

           

More than P3,000,000 worth of vegetables in almost 100 hectares was totally and partially damaged.  Combined loss in harvestable bangus and tilapia, including fingerlings, posted almost P1,000,000 loss.     

           

Damage to irrigation and Small Water Impounding Projects reached P 11,250,000.

           

The sum of P33,700,000 is needed for the repair or reconstruction of affected infrastructure.  

           

It includes P700,000 for the eroded road shoulders of Dalacdac Farm to Market Roads (FMR) in Burgos; P20,000,000 for the washed-out roadway and slope protection of Cabaroan-Baybay Road in Sto. Tomas; P5,000,000 for the collapsed 25-meter Masicong Concrete Masonry Wall in San Fernando City; P5,000,000 to clear silted waterways; and P3,000,000 for the washed-out Taboc Sea Wall in San Juan.