Quezon storm damage hits P761 million

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to various sectors in Quezon province due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng was estimated at P761 million.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Melchor Avenilla Jr. said the cost of the damage covers livestock, agriculture, houses and infrastructure.

He said 10,800 food packs worth P4.32 million were distributed to affected areas.

Up to 30,981 families or 108,221 people in 717 barangays were affected by Paeng, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

PSWDO chief Sonia Leyson said 722 houses were destroyed and 9,398 others were damaged.

Quezon recorded six fatalities due to the storm.

A state of calamity was declared in the province based on a resolution issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday.

In Pampanga, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said damage to agriculture reached P87.5 million.

Apalit reported P60.5 million worth of damage to palay followed by San Simon with P16.89 million, Mexico, P2.1 million and Bacolor, P1.2 million.

Paeng also left five houses destroyed and 11 others damaged in Pampanga.

Food packs

Meanwhile, in Zamboanga peninsula, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food packs to residents affected by flooding.

DSWD regional spokesman Ivan Erik Salvador said the department also provided financial assistance, including burial aid, to the families of four persons who drowned in flashfloods.

He said 61 barangays in Zamboanga peninsula were affected by flooding.

Records showed that 12,325 families or 61,769 people were affected.

At least 10,160 families or 50,800 of the victims are residents of Zamboanga City.

Salvador said 300 sleeping kits were provided to those who remain in evacuation centers.

He said the regional office is waiting for directives from the DSWD main office on the grant of housing assistance to those who lost their homes.

”We are doing the profiling to determine those who really need the assistance,” Salvador said.