VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – A total of 17,358 families composed of 63,850 individuals in Ilocos Sur were affected by the combined effects of Super Typhoon Goring and the southwest monsoon (Habagat), according to the report issued by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) at 5 p.m. of Wednesday, August 30.
Those affected came from this city, and the municipalities of Bantay, Cabugao, Magsingal, Narvacan, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Maria, Santo Domingo, Sigay, and Sinait.
The PDRRMO said incidents such as flooding, swelling and/or overflowing of rivers, and landslides were reported in these areas due to heavy rains.
“Manipud pay idi Sabado, imon-monitortayo dagiti flood-prone areas. As of today, adda eight families from three municipalities ang nasa evacuation areas ta ti residences-da ket low-lying ken asidegda ti rivers (As early as last Saturday, we continuously monitor the flood-prone areas in the province. As of today, there are eight families in three municipalities that are inside evacuation areas as they reside in low-lying areas and near the rivers.),” PDRRM Officer Rhon Arquelada said in an interview on Wednesday.
In response to this, the provincial social welfare and development office has distributed family food packs, hygiene kits, and gallons of water to the evacuees.
He added that a total of 65 houses are totally damaged in the province – 53 of these are reported in this city while 11 are reported in Narvacan town and one in Santa Maria town.
“Ditoy Narvacan, adda tallo a na-swept away agsipudta asideg didiay karayan. Dagidiay balay nga adda didiay asideg ti karayan didiay Narvacan, in-declare ni municipal social welfare and development office (MSWDO) a totally damaged ta madi pagyananen (In Narvacan town, three houses were completely swept away by the raging river water. The MSWDO declared those houses near the river as totally damaged because the area is unsafe),” Arquelada said.
He assured the continuous monitoring of the PDRRMO down to the city/municipal DRRMOs and that they are ready to be deployed anytime.
“Our search and rescuer personnel, and volunteers, including the equipment and vehicle are ready to be deployed. We are monitoring 24/7,” he added.
Arquelada then advised the public to monitor and follow warnings and advisories especially when pre-emptive evacuations are needed.
“Kung titingnan natin itong forecast ng PAG-ASA, posible na lalabas ngayong gabi o bukas nang umaga ang bagyo pero kahit makaalis na ito sa Philippine Area of Responsibility, pinapalakas nito ang Habagat kaya asahan pa rin natin ang light to moderate at sometimes heavy rains kaya sana kung may mga advisories na posibleng lumaki ang tubig sa ating lugar at kailangan natin mag-pre-emptive evacuate, sana ay sumunod tayo para sa ating kaligtasan,” he ended.
As to the amount of damages in the infrastructuce and agriculture sector, the provincial engineering office and the provincial agriculture office have yet to validate the areas affected by the super typhoon. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
