By Alec Go
The province of Cagayan has been placed under a state of calamity due to the impact of Super Typhoon “Egay” that hit the province last week, causing flooding, agricultural loss, and power outages.
The Cagayan Information Office said the declaration was upon the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s approval of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council’s recommendation through Resolution No. 2023-11-502.
Up to P52,546,800 in quick response funds will be used in the province.
The province said 40% of the fund will be allocated to the agriculture sector, 30% for social welfare, 20% for infrastructures, and 5% each for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Veterinary Office.
A price freeze is also in effect covering all basic commodities such as rice, meat, fish, vegetables, sugar, oil, milk, canned goods, laundry detergent and bath soap, candles, bread, charcoal, and bottled water.
To date, 22,291 families or 60,736 individuals have been affected by the super typhoon, including 22 who were injured in Cagayan.
Up to 1,102 houses were totally damaged and 16,058 were partially wrecked.
Meanwhile, agricultural damages have been estimated at P539,442,500, livestock at P1,050,000, and infrastructure at P862,300,000. – gb
