By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Families affected by a series of powerful storms that battered the country have reached 495,788 from seven regions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
In its 8 a.m. update, the agency said the families from 4,974 barangays in Regions 1, 2, 3, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Region 5 and the Cordillera Administrative Region are displaced by Nika (Toraji), Ofel (Usagi) and Pepito (Man-yi).
About 111,549 families are being served inside 3,176 evacuation centers and another 47,736 families outside.
The agency has yet to receive reports of deaths from the typhoons.
About 25 were reportedly injured, but only two from Region 5 are undergoing validation.
Damaged houses were placed at 11,759 and these were recorded in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5 and the CAR.
Classified as “partially damaged” were 10,234 while those considered “totally damaged” were at 1,525.
Damage to agriculture was estimated at PHP8.64 million in Regions 1 and 3.
Infrastructure damage was placed at PHP469.85 million in Regions 2, 3 and the CAR.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 185,249 families or 650,160 individuals have returned to their homes in the six regions affected by Pepito.
In a situation report, the PCG said these evacuees were from Southern Tagalog, Northwestern Luzon, Northeastern Luzon, and Eastern Visayas.
As of Tuesday noon, it said 5,339 families made up of 18,562 individuals remain in evacuation centers in Bicol and the National Capital Region (NCR).
To date, it has deployed seven vessels and 239 land mobility and surface vehicles to help the evacuees return home, transport personnel, and support the national government’s delivery of aid and disaster response operations.
In addition, PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, ordered the full mobilization of relief efforts for communities hit by Pepito.
On Monday, the PCG reported there are no more stranded passengers, cargoes, vessels, and motor bancas in ports nationwide following the passing of the super typhoon.
All shipping and fishing operations have also resumed normal operations.
Impassable roads
The Department of Public Works and Highways-Bureau of Maintenance (DPWH-BOM) on Tuesday reported that 21 roads remain impassable in Northern Luzon.
These are:
–Apayao (Calanasan)-Ilocos Norte Road, Tanglagan, Calanasan, Apayao.
–Cong Andres Acop Cosalan Road, Sitio Sayokong, in Barangay Adaoay and Sitio Bongis in Barangay Gusaran, Kabayan, Benguet.
–Kennon Road, Sito Camp 2 Barangay Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet.
–Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Barangay Bokok-Bisal and Sitio Labas, Pito Bokod, Benguet.
–Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road in Tukucan, Tinoc, Ifugao.
–Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mt Province Road, Hucab, Kiangan, Ifugao.
–Jct Talubin-Barlig- Natonin- Paracelis- Calaccad Road, Banao, Natonin, Mountain Province.
–Pangasinan-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Barangay Malico, San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
–Cagayan-Apayao Road, Itawes Overflow Bridge 1 and 2, Sta Barbara, Piat, Cagayan.
–Cabagan Sta. Maria Road, Casibarag and Mozzozzin, Sta. Maria, Isabela.
–Cordon-Aurora Bdry Road (Jct Dumabato- Aurora Bdry), Barangay Disimung, Nagtipunan, Quirino.
–NRJ Villa Sur-San Pedro-Cabua-an-Ysmael-Disimungal Road, Barangay Cabua-an and Ysmael, Maddela, Quirino.
–Jct Abbag-Nagtipunan Nueva Vizcaya Road via Dupax, Barangay Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino due.
–Jct Abbag-Nagtipunan Nueva Vizcaya Road via Dupax, La Conwap, Nagtipiunan, Quirino.
–Jct Victoria-Maddela Alicia-Kasibu Bdry Road, San Benigno, Alipay, Quirino.
–Jct Victoria-Maddela Alicia-Kasibu Bdry Road, Balligui, Maddela, Quirino.
–Jct Abbag-Nagtipunan Nueva Vizcaya Road via Dupax, Old Gumiad, Nagtipunan, Quirino.
–A. Castañeda-Ma. Aurora-San Luis Road K0194+000 – K0201+000 in Aurora
–Baler – Casiguran Road, Barangay Abuleg, Aurora.
–Baler – Casiguran Road, Barangay Dianed, Dipaculao, Aurora.
–Nueva Ecija- Aurora Road, Barangay Labi and Calaanan, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.
The DPWH-BOM said the assessed cost of damage to infrastructure due to tropical cyclones Nika, Ofel and Pepito has increased to PHP750.82 million.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the amount includes PHP446.11 million in damage to flood control structures; PHPP290.04 million to roads and PHP14.68 million to bridges. (with reports from Raymond dela Cruz/Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
