Typhoon Quinta which made landfall over the weekend has left heavy damage in the province of Batangas, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported.
Strong winds destroyed some billboards, trees, and roofs of houses. Electric posts were also damaged which resulted in temporary power interruption. The worth of damage is yet to be determined.
Almost 300 evacuees are staying at the Calaca Central School due to threats of landslide, strong winds, and downpour. Batangas was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 as of 5 p.m. on Monday.
Operations at the Batangas Port has been suspended since October 24 due to typhoon Quinta, affecting at least 600 passengers who are now stranded in the terminal.
Meanwhile, a yacht identified as MV Oceanic Explorer 3 carrying eight individuals capsized in Bauan, Batangas. Its chief of maintenance remains missing and search operations are still ongoing.
The PCG has also rescued five members of MV Roro 12 in a separate maritime incident at Bonito Island in Tingloy, Maricaban, Batangas.
Quezon province to assess damage
The province of Quezon was also hit by Quinta, but initial assessment showed that no major damage has been recorded yet. Further damage assessment is yet to be conducted.
Quezon PDRRM Officer Mel Avenilla told Radyo Pilipinas that water levels of rivers in Lopez, Catanauan, and Guinayangan did not rise because the typhoon did not bring heavy rains in the region.
Avenilla said infrastructure damages are expected especially those made of light materials.
Meanwhile, QPDRRMO reported that 5,113 families or 15,719 individuals have been evacuated, including those living in risky areas, have been preemptively evacuated. Report from Louisa Erispe and Tom Alvarez
