BY NINO N. LUCES
VIRAC, Catanduanes – The province of Catanduanes is asking for help after typhoon “Rolly” severely hit Bicol region on Sunday.
Governor Joseph Cua said the province is isolated since no available signal of any telecommunication company in the province and all major roads are still impassable due to fallen electrical posts and landslides.
“Sa ngayon po, wala pa kaming makuhang data sa ibang munisipyo dahil hindi pa madaanan ‘yung mga kalsada dahil sa mga tumbang poste ng kuryente, ng kahoy at landslides,” he said.
Typhoon “Rolly” made a landfall in Bato town in Catanduanes early morning on Sunday, totally damaging 65 percent of the houses in the entire province.
The governor is also asking for drinking water since the operation of Virac Water District (VIWAD) was halted due to major damages in their facilities.
“It will take at least three months siguro para ma-restore ang tubig. Jetmatic pump o deep well ang ginagamit ng iba. Kaya kailangan talaga namin ng tulong,” he said.
In Virac town, at least half kilometer is queue of those who wanted to buy drinking water in sole water refilling station operating.
“Kinakatakot namin dito baka magkaroon ng outbreak sa diarrhea dahil sa kakulangan ng tubig,” he added.
Cua also narrated that at least 120,000 individuals need potable drinking water.
“We also need support for G.I. sheets since lahat ng bahay nawalan ng bubong,” he said.
On Monday, Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) team led by Office of the Civil Defense-Bicol DRRM division chief Jessar Adornado, along with other government and military officials conducted an aerial assessment of the damages.
After the aerial inspection, the meeting was concluded at the province’s DRR operation center with Governor Cua and Catanduanes lone district Congressman Hector Sanchez.
During the meeting, Cua also requested for P100 million funds for the assistance of abaca farmers in the province.
“Dito kasi sa amin, abaca ang major na ikinabubuhay ng mga tao dito. Millions of peso din ang kontribusyon ng abaca sa ekonomiya ng aming probinsiya,” he said.
Governor Cua also said that a “State of Calamity” will be declared as soon as possible in the entire province.
