Ineng’s damage in Ilocos Norte tops P1B

LAOAG CITY—Non-stop rains, brought about by severe tropical storm “Ineng”, left two persons dead and over P1.1 billion worth damages in Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported Monday.

Damage to infrastructure, particularly on unfinished national roads, bridges and buildings, was pegged at P727.5 million, the PDRRMC said.

At the height of the typhoon on Saturday, Ilocos Norte residents particularly in Laoag, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos and Vintar experienced one of the worst flooding caused by torrential rains of around 50 millimeters volume of water for 16 hours.

The heavy downpour caused a landslide that hit the house of Pauleen Joy Corpuz, 17, in Sta. Catalina, Pasuquin and the drowning of Ricky Manglallan of Barangay Salet, Laoag City on Saturday.

Hundreds of farm animals worth over P7.5 million also drowned in floodwaters.

Rice field and crop damage reached more than P30.3 million, P6.3 million in fisheries, P7.5 million in livestock and P122.6 million in agri-infrastructure.

The PDRRMC also reported 20 totally damaged houses, 46 partially damaged, and 9,582 flooded.

Since Saturday, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc led the inspection of damages and distribution of relief goods to the 9,873 affected families or 41,618 people in the entire province.

“We have enough relief packs, which is our main focus. We also have to clear the roads, and finally, prioritize our agriculture sector,” Manotoc said in an interview on Sunday.

On Monday, Senators Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos and Bong Go, and Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar arrived at the Laoag International Airport to help in the relief operations in Metro Gabu, Laoag City.

“Those who have less in life will have more in service” Dar said, as he assured affected farmers the DA will provide P18.1 million worth of corn, vegetables and hybrid seeds so they could cope with their losses.

“We are ready to provide emergency financial assistance worth P25,000 to each affected farmer with zero-interest and payable up to 3 years,” he added while visiting Metro Gabu, one of the hardest-hit coastal villages in the city.