Ineng destroys 2 dams in Ilocos

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Two dams in Ilocos Norte were damaged by Typhoon Ineng, which also affected at least 100,000 people in the province.

An aerial inspection conducted on Thursday showed the extent of damage on the dike system of Madungan Dam in Dingras town.

Glen Reyes of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the province lost more than P1.6 billion worth of river and flood control infrastructure, particularly the dike system of the Madungan Dam.

Reyes said the total damage, including agriculture and other infrastructure in the province alone, could reach P2 billion.

Gov. Imee Marcos said the provincial government is working for the rehabilitation and repair of the damaged dike system.

“We are considering restoring and following the original plan of the dam in order to minimize damage during typhoons,” Marcos said.

She said aside from the Madungan Dam, Ineng destroyed the Sabo Dam in the town of Nueva Era, which caused flooding and damage to communities and agricultural crops in the villages of Barangobong, Uguis and Lasien.

Marcos said another aerial survey conducted on Friday revealed landslides in some portions of the Cordilleras located near Nueva Era.

She said landslides also destroyed roads in Adams town.

The governor said the amount of damage she saw during the aerial survey on Friday could be more than what they saw during a similar activity on Thursday.

She said the damage brought by Ineng to the province is more than P2 billion.

Marcos said the provincial government continues to distribute relief goods to residents affected by the typhoon.

As of Friday, almost P2 million worth of relief goods were distributed across the province.

Ilocos Norte and the Cordillera region have been placed under a state of calamity.