Typhoon damage in Ilocos N. hits P95.5M

By Freddie G. Lazaro

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte — The amount of damage to infrastructure and agriculture during typhoon “Vinta’s” onslaught in Ilocos Norte last weekend has risen to P95.5 million, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported Wednesday.

The PDRRMC said damaged houses and livelihood contributed a significant increase to the tally of damage brought about by the typhoon.

This will give the total estimated damaged on infrastructure with P61,058,242.00 to include the assessments made by the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWHs) Districts 1 and 2 contributing figures of P13 million and P11 million, respectively.

In agriculture, the estimated worth of damages was P34,442,270.61 from rice, corn, high-value commercial crops, livestock and fisheries.

More affected families were also reported, reaching a total of 1,857. The number of houses totally destroyed climbed up to 54 while those which were partially damaged or flooded reached a total of 1,802.

Gov. Imee R. Marcos reported that some partially damaged houses even became “roofless” due to the gusty winds brought by Vinta.

Assistance from the provincial government through distribution of relief goods and medicines as well as provision of roofing materials is now ongoing for these affected families.

Assessment and repair of power and communication lines are still ongoing with an electric company reporting that it has already restored 95 percent of the total number of affected households.

Other offices, particularly the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 1 said that they are currently validating the progress report in order to render further assistance