Relief operations and distribution continue in the severely affected province of Catanduanes, but four towns remain isolated as of Thursday afternoon due to the onslaught of super Typhoon Rolly.
Catanduanes Rep. Hector Sanchez is seeking immediate assistance from the BiCam for the repair of badly hit government facilities such as hospitals and the capitol, and for the restoration of electricity and water.
“Sa ngayon po, ang water supply is still down. Ang power supply po ay 90 percent damaged (Water supply is currently down. Power supply is also 90 percent damaged),” Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua stated.
Department of Energy (DOE) USec. Felix William Fuentebella assured that they “were able to send” teams of estimated 500 linemen to Bicol Region and are “already purchasing supplies.”
The DOE is expecting power lines to be restored in the entire province before Christmas.
As for relief distribution, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said 60 tons of relief goods have already arrived in Catanduanes on Thursday.
Jessar Adornado of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol added that they have choppers looking for landing sites in isolated areas.
“Mayroon ding programa ang provincial government through the help of (the) Coast Guard na via sea naman. Talagang lahat ng sulok ay mapupuntahan (The provincial government also has a program with the help of the Coast Guard via sea. We will be able to reach all corners),” Adornado added.
Citing data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua reported that there are six casualties in the province as of November 5, including three in Virac and one each in San Miguel, Gigmoto, and San Andres.
At least 101 were injured and one remains missing. The number of affected families in the province is now at 35,222 or 142,478 individuals. The cost of agricultural damage has ballooned to ₱1.404,930,384, including those in the Abaca industry, while the worth of damage to infrastructure is estimated at ₱ 301,990, 004. Almost 500,000 family food packs are needed by the LGUs due to the rising number of displaced families. – Report from Ryan Lesigues
