PHOTOS of residents in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on top of the roofs of their houses seeking refuge from floods serve as evidence just how hard the rains brought by storms and the monsoon have been lately.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), typhoon “Egay” dumped more than a month’s rain in its two Ilocos stations located in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and Sinait town in Ilocos Sur.
“In 48 hours, between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Thursday, Laoag City recorded 620 millimeters of rain, more than the station’s average July rainfall of 478.9 millimeters. Sinait station registered 578.1 mm of precipitation, also more than its monthly normal of 529.8 millimeters for July,” PAGASA reported.
From July 25 to 26, Egay also dumped almost a month’s worth of rain in Aparri, Cagayan at 194 millimeters. There was widespread flooding in mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Ilocos Sur, while multiple landslides hit Mountain Province and Benguet in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
‘Other government agencies for sure are also helping the typhoon victims, along with the private sector, and we urge them to continue doing so…’
Egay claimed over a dozen lives and caused almost P1.5 billion worth of damage to infrastructure facilities and agricultural crops as it left Cagayan Valley Region, victimizing some 500,000 Filipinos across the country.
On infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 2 reported an initial damage of about P1.156 billion to public infrastructure such as flood control facilities, bridges, roads and other public facilities.
The big challenge today is early recovery and rehabilitation of residents severely affected by this natural calamity. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on top of this challenge. Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian assessed the damage in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan provinces and led the distribution of cash assistance, food packs, etc. to alleviate the immediate suffering of the typhoon victims.
Also responding to President Bongbong Marcos’ directives, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, an agency used to celebrate its anniversaries with lavish and expensive parties in first-class hotels, decided to spend the money by launching a massive typhoon relief campaign.
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles and his executive assistant Arnold Arriola led in the distribution of relief goods in the Ilocos region and Kalinga province, assisted by PCSO branch officials in Ilocos Norte and La Union, Ilocos Sur and Kalinga.
Robles said his agency takes its corporate social responsibility seriously, and is always ready to extend assistance to poor Filipinos, most specially during natural calamities.
While the PCSO can be relied upon to render immediate relief, the DSWD meanwhile is thinking of a more long-term assistance through its the cash-for-work program that can run for 30 to 45 days and will provide alternative livelihood to typhoon-affected residents as part of their early recovery and rehabilitation following the calamity.
Other government agencies for sure are also helping the typhoon victims, along with the private sector, and we urge them to continue doing so because in times like these when our countrymen are really in need of help, we should all close ranks for our common survival.
