Losses to infrastructure and agriculture in Ilocos Norte from severe tropical storm “Ineng” (international name “Bailu”) have reached P500 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported yesterday.
In its report to the NDRRMC, the Ilocos Norte Provincial DRRMO disclosed P544,280,000 in damage to infrastructure and P45,310,491.61 in damage to agriculture in the province.
Several roads and slope protections, bridges, and flood control structures were either totally or partially destroyed due to heavy rains and deep floods.
Commodities such as rice, corn, high value commercial crops, fisheries, and livestock suffered losses ranging from P280,000 to as big as P28 million.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad assured that the devastated province will quickly get back on its feet as the Department of Social Welfare and Development central office, field offices, and National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P1,863,042,677.57 that are ready for distribution.
Jalad said 8,008 families or 33,333 individuals were affected in 156 barangays in Ilocos region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), and Central Luzon (Region 3).
One-hundred ninety-three families or 601 persons were being served inside 16 evacuation centers while 48 families or 169 persons were being served outside temporary shelters.
Others have returned to their homes as the floods subsided.
Ineng destroyed 43 houses in Piddig, Vintar, and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.
At least six road sections were reported impassable to vehicles in Ilocos Norte as of noon yesterday. Jalad said the road sections were closed to light vehicles since 7 p.m. Saturday due to flood.
He assured affected motorists that maintenance crew and equipment have been deployed in the affected areas to conduct clearing operations. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
