Storm surges destroy agri/infra worth P6.9-M, displaces 302 families in I.S.

By Freddie G. Lazaro

Tuesday 3rd of July 2012

VIGAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) –-- Storm surges aggravated by typhoon Dindo over the weekend in Ilocos Sur, destroyed infrastructure and agri-fishery products worth P6.9 million, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) here.

Of the P6.9 estimated damages, Ilocos Sur’s PDRRMC–OIC Sigfred Duquing said that P1.085 million was from the agri-fishery sector in Santa Catalina town and Vigan City; P5.115 million from the collapsed 140 m national road along Narvacan–Sulvec Port in the second district of Ilocos Sur; and the remaining P .750 million was from the eroded portion of the Manila North Road (MNR) along the first district of the province.

Meanwhile, Duquing reported that at least 302 families or 1,510 persons were displaced during the onset of the storm surges from the three coastal barangays in Santa town namely Barangays Pasungol, Bucalag and Tabucolan. The displaced families were evacuated to the safer ground in the poblacion in Santa town but they returned to their houses the following day after the storm surges subsided.

“The provincial government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) distributed relief goods to the displaced families from the three barangays in Santa town before they returned home,” Duquing said.

For the damages on infrastructures, he said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through its 2nd Engineering District of Ilocos Sur is now repairing and rehabilitating the collapsed 140–m national secondary road in Barangay Bulanos, Narvacan town or the Narvacan–Sulvec Port Road.

“The repair of the eroded portion of the Manila North Road along the first district of Ilocos Sur is ongoing,” he added.

For the damages on agri-fishery sector, he said that provincial agriculturist Teofilo Quintal is now looking for the provisions of possible assistance to be given to the owners of fishponds flooded due to storm surges along the coastal areas in Santa Catalina and Vigan City.

“So far, the province of Ilocos Sur has maintained its “zero” death casualty record due to calamities as of this time,” he said.

“However, the members of the PDRRMC–Ilocos Sur are always vigilant and prepared to anticipate any eventuality that may occur during disasters,” he concluded. (ANL/FGL-PIA 1, Ilocos Sur)