'Pablo' destroys P4B worth of properties

MANILA, Philippines - The cost of damage brought about by typhoon Pablo in parts of Mindanao, particularly Davao and Compostela Valley, has reached P4 billion, the National Risk Reduction Management Council said on Friday.

In its latest bulletin, the NDRRMC said that of the figure, over P630 million worth of infrastructure have been devastated by strong winds and torrential rains brought by the weather disturbance.

The agriculture sector was hard hit by the typhoon, destroying more than P3 billion worth of produce, the NDRRMC said.

The damage to private properties in the areas hit by Pablo was estimated at P5.4 million, the agency added.

The local and provincial governments in 26 municipalities and four provinces in Regions 4-B, 6, 10, 11 and Caraga have already declared a state of calamity due to the devastation.

The NDRRMC also reported that some parts of Surigao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte are still experiencing power outages.

Some 1.033 million families or 5.14 million persons were affected in 1,862 barangays in 26 provinces in seven regions. Of the total number of affected families, 64,470 are presently served inside 569 evacuation centers.

President Aquino has arrived in New Bataan, Compostela Valley. He addressed the residents and assured them that missing persons would be rescued or found. He also proceeded to distribute relief goods.

Accompanying Aquino are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Mar Roxas II, Secretary of  National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, Secretary of Transportation and Communications Joseph Emilio Abaya, Secretary of Energy Carlos Jericho Petilla, Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Secretary of Health Enrique Ona, Secretary of Education Armin Luistro, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Ramon Paje, Secretary of the Mindanao Development Authority Luwalhati Antonio.