State of calamity in 3 regions sought

MANILA, Philippines — Three regions hit by Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Quinta should be placed under a state of calamity, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

These are Bicol, Mimaropa and Calabarzon, the NDRRMC said in its recommendation to the Office of the President on Friday.

During its full council emergency session, the NDRRMC cited widespread damage in the three regions due to Rolly and Quinta.

Cavite, Catanduanes and Camarines Sur as well as Mulanay in Quezon had earlier been placed under a state of calamity due to Rolly.

The typhoon left P13.7 billion in damage to infrastructure and agriculture. In Bicol alone, damage to infrastructure was pegged at P10.2 billion.

The NDRRMC said P2.9 billion in crops, livestock, fisheries and agricultural facilities  as well as 65,897 hectares of land were affected.

At least 375,074 families or around 1.5 million people were affected. A total of 82,719 houses were either damaged or destroyed.

The government said typhoon victims received P64 million in assistance.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government was tasked to update the status of the local disaster risk reduction and management funds for possible augmentation through its quick response fund.

Lahar flow

Meanwhile, the Albay provincial government said residents should brace for lahar flow if another typhoon hits the province.

Cedric Daep, Albay public safety and emergency management office head, said aerial survey showed that rivers and gullies on the slope of Mayon Volcano were heavily silted with lahar.

“There is an urgent need to conduct massive dredging on these rivers and channels before another strong typhoon washes down lahar deposited in the middle and upper slopes of Mayon,” Daep said.

Five people died when lahar submerged houses in Barangay San Francisco in Guinobatan, Albay at the height of Rolly’s onslaught on Nov. 1.

“Quinta first pushed the volcanic materials that silted the major river channels. Rolly pushed these further... until they hit the communities in Guinobatan,” Daep said. – Cet Dematera