SAN FERNANDO CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) -- The province of La Union has been placed under a state of calamity after Severe Tropical Storm “Maring” destroyed over P360 million in agriculture and infrastructures.

In a regular session on Tuesday, Vice Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members unanimously approved SP Resolution No. 1413-2021 after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), headed by Governor Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III, reported on the estimate cost of damages brought about by the typhoon earlier this week.

As of Oct. 14, partial data from the PDRRMC showed that majority of the reported losses were on agricultural products, with an estimated value of P300.9 million, infrastructure damages of P63 million, and livestock and poultries pegged at P5 million.

A total of 259 villages; 38,812 families; 135,881 individuals; and 4,263 houses were affected. Flooding and power outages hit the majority of barangays.

Incidents were recorded from 17 municipalities of the province namely Rosario, San Juan, Bauang, Sudipen, Tubao, Pugo, Naguilian, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Bangar, Bagulin, Santol, San Gabriel, Luna, Bacnotan, Balaoan, and Burgos.

In addition, two people were hurt, and three people are still missing. There were no deaths reported.

The provincial government continues to conduct recovery efforts such as relief operations, infrastructure restoration, road clearing, and damage assessment.

As of writing, a total of 18,998 relief packs were distributed in highly-affected areas.

Seeing the impact of Typhoon Maring, the provincial government, in partnership with the public and private sectors, quickly set up a donation drive to pool additional resources to aid in the recovery of the affected towns.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., donors can drop off cash or in-kind donations at the La Union Agri-Tourism Center. (JCR/JPD,PIA La Union)