THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) yesterday reported seven more deaths in Eastern Visayas due to typhoon ‘Opong’, bringing to at least 27 the total number of fatalities from the tropical cyclone that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people in several regions.
“In Region 8, it has already reached 15. This is for validation,” OCD deputy administrator for administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV told an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, referring to the number of deaths in Eastern Visayas.
There were eight fatalities previously reported in the region, all in Biliran province, based on information provided by Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina.
“Many of these (deaths in Eastern Visayas) are in Biliran due to drowning. We have 10 deaths in Biliran, four in Samar and one in Southern Leyte,” said Alejandro.
Nine were reported dead in Bicol, all in Masbate, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the OCD Bicol.
Two died in Central Visayas, specifically in Cebu, the NDRRMC said. The other fatality was recorded in Occidental Mindoro (in Mimaropa), according to the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Alejandro said the fatalities may reach as high as 39 if the deaths from previous tropical cyclones Mirasol and Nando are counted.
Alejandro said the focus of the relief and rehabilitation efforts is in Masbate, which he said was most devastated by Opong. Masbate is now under a state of calamity.
“The problem there really is electricity, communication and restoration of damaged (houses),” said Alejandro, adding that it may take at least a month to restore electricity in the province.
OCD Bicol spokesman Gremil Naz said Masbate continues to experience a province-wide brownout after Opong’s strong winds toppled electric posts.
“It’s (power outage) province-wide since Day 1. It was caused by strong winds; electric posts were toppled,” said Naz.
Naz could not, however, immediately say the number of toppled electric posts.
“It may take about a month to restore 100 percent power in Masbate based on the initial assessment,” said Alejandro, adding that Department of Energy personnel have been deployed to the province to hasten the recovery effort.
Alejandro said the airport in Masbate is functional but commercial flights remain suspended due to a problem with electricity. He said the airport is running on generators.
Alejadro said some 300 tarpaulins and galvanized iron sheets arrived in Masbate last Sunday.
“They (Masbate residents) need housing materials. There is no problem with food, it’s enough. We were able to preposition (food). What they need is housing repair kits,” said Alejandro.
The OCD-Bicol said 318,171 families (1,209,590 individuals) were affected by Opong in the region. Of the number, 23771 families (88,012 individuals) are from Masbate.
IT said 776 houses were “totally” and “partially” damaged in the region, of which 690 are in Masbate.
OCD Bicol region Claudio Yucot, during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, said the NDRRMC, the OCD and other concerned agencies have discussed “short-term” and “future plans” to rehabilitate Masbate and other areas affected by Opong and previous tropical cyclones.
“Do not worry, your government is ready to help you,” Yucot told the public.
He urged the people to coordinate with their respective local government units so their concerns can reach higher authorities.
“Once these (needs) reach us, we’ll make sure these will be addressed by the national government,” said Yucot.
STATE OF CALAMITY
Biliran and Romblon yesterday declared a state of calamity due to the severe effects of typhoon Opong.
“The province of Biliran is officially declared under a state of calamity,” Biliran Gov. Rogelio Espina said on his Facebook page.
Espina said the declaration was due to loss of lives and destruction of property in the province.
Ten people died in Biliran due to the onslaught of Opong, according to the Office of Civil Defense.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution placing he province under a state of calamity that was approved by Espina.
The resolution says the declaration was “due to the damages and adverse effects brought about by typhoon Opong.”
It said more than 15 percent of the province’s population was affected, adding “livelihoods were severely disrupted and lifelines like potable water supply were heavily damaged.”
The resolution also cited a report from the provincial risk reduction and management council about “extensive damage” to national and provincial roads, bridges, school buildings and health facilities.
It placed the cost of damage to these infrastructures at P1.2 billion, adding that the damage hampered the “mobility and the delivery of essential services.”
“Initial assessment further shows that thousands of families were displaced, houses were either totally destroyed or partially damaged, while many affected individuals remain in temporary evacuation centers, exposed to health and sanitation risks,” the resolution read.
It also noted “massive losses” in the agriculture sector. It placed the initial cost of damage to agriculture at P121 million.
The resolution said it was “imperative” for the provincial government to place Biliran under a state of calamity “to expedite the delivery of emergency relief, ensure the safety of affected families, and facilitate the rehabilitation and recovery of damaged infrastructures and livelihoods.”
Romblon was placed under a state of calamity by its Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said the Romblon Provincial Information Office.
The declaration was approved by the council based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council due to Opong’s extensive damage to houses and infrastructure.
The information office also said the people’s livelihood was affected and electricity and communications were disrupted.
As of last Sunday, 3,412 families (11,377 individuals) have been displaced by Opong in Romblon. No one died but one person remained missing.
Some 15,900 houses and 53 school buildings were damaged in the province.
The province of Masbate and the city of Calbayog in Samar had earlier declared a state of calamity due to Opong.
Oriental Mindoro also declared a state of calamity on Monday due to the effects of Opong.
Gov. Humerlito Dolor said the decision to place the province under a state of calamity was meant to allow the use of the province’s calamity and quick response funds.
Dolor said these funds are needed for the restoration of damaged facilities and to bring help to the typhoon victims.
Dolor pegged the cost of damage to agriculture in the province at around P1 billion.
He said 241 roads and 2,300 houses were also damaged by Opong.
Dolor said he recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare a state of calamity. The body passed a resolution, officially placing the province under a state.
EMERGENCY APPEAL
Following the devastation caused by Typhoon Opong, Caritas Philippines is set to issue an emergency appeal for affected dioceses and archdioceses.
In its latest Situation Report, Caritas Philippines bared its plans to launch a local emergency appeal to help typhoon-hit dioceses.
“An emergency meeting in preparation for an emergency response to affected dioceses will be called up by Caritas Philippines in determining immediate actions needed,” said Caritas Philippines.
“Caritas Philippines is preparing to launch a local emergency appeal for the dioceses affected by STS Opong,” it added.
Based on its partial assessment, Caritas Philippines noted that at least seven archdioceses and dioceses were affected by Opong.
These include the Archdioceses of Lipa and Caceres as well as the Dioceses of Masbate, Romblon, Sorsogon, Gumaca, and Bacolod.
“Caritas Philippines is in close coordination with the local Caritas Diocese Social Action Centers (DSACs) in affected dioceses,” it said.
“Communication lines, however, remain limited with Caritas Masbate last reporting as of last night, and SAC Romblon maintaining intermittent contact through a generator-powered communication setup,” added Caritas Philippines.
Initial reports indicate that among the immediate needs in affected areas are food items, temporary shelter, shelter repair kits, solar lamps and chargers, and portable generator sets.
Caritas Philippines added that an emerging concern is potable water access, as it is expected to be critical in the coming days due to disrupted supply lines and compromised water sources.
In a related development, the Diocese of Masbate is issuing a call for donations for affected communities in the province, which is considered the “most devastated” by Opong.
In a social media post, the Caritas Masbate said it welcomes donations in cash and in-kind.
“We call for donations for the communities severely devastated by Typhoon Opong in Masbate province,” said Caritas Masbate.
It said donations of rice, safe drinking water, and shelter repair materials may be dropped off in its relief operations center at St. Patrick Parish, Barangay Tugbo, Masbate City.
Financial donations can be sent via GCash (0926 645 5971 – Paul Richard Dy), BPI (3619 1176 45 – Paul Richard Dy), and PNB (253170001502 – Caritas Masbate General Fund). – With Gerard Naval
