‘Vinta’ leaves 1 dead, 2 injured, P95M damages

Damaged rice crops in a field in Laoag City, brought by Typhoon Vinta. (Alaric Yanos)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

As supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) bore down on Central Philippines, Ilocos Norte is still recovering from Typhoon “Vinta” (international name Krosa).

Leaving one dead and two injured, and “Vinta” also left a total estimated damages worth P95 million mostly on agriculture and infrastructure including destroyed school buildings, roads and bridges, hospitals, municipal halls and houses beyond repair as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Reynante Binala of Cangrunaan, Batac town was reported by his family as missing at the height of typhoon “Vinta”. On November 3, he was found dead floating on a creek near the Garasgas Bridge in Batac City.

On their way home, Blas Ramos of Davila, Pasuquin and Alexander Magkalas were both injured by fallen trees, the four-page PDRRMC report said.

Based on its updated progress report as of November 6, 4:00 PM, the PDRRMC revealed that damaged houses and livelihood contributed a significant rise in the tally of damages brought by the typhoon.

Infrastructural damages are now at P61,058,242, with the assessments made by the Department of Public Work and Highways Districts 1 and 2 contributing figures of P13,000,000 and P11,000,000 respectively.

Damages to provincial roads and bridges still tallied the highest cost, P20,215,000. Added to the list were damages to houses in several municipalities, agricultural infrastructure (P226,213), and facilities in fisheries (P554,739).

In agriculture, figures of damages continue to rise as well, particularly in fisheries, P207,125 and livestock, P245,500.

More affected families were also reported, reaching a total of 1,857. The number of houses totally destroyed climbed up to 54 while those which were partially damaged or flooded reached a total of 1,802.

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos reported that some partially damaged houses even became ‘roofless’ due to the gusty winds brought by Vinta.

Assistance from the provincial government through distribution of relief goods and medicines as well as provision of roofing materials is now ongoing for these affected families.

Uprooted trees and electric posts were already cleared out from the roads with the help of the Regional Department of Public Works and Highways.

Other offices, particularly the Office of Civil Defense Region 1 said that they are currently validating the progress report in order to render further assistance.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said damage to power lines cut electricity affecting the entire province of Ilocos Norte.  

Lilibeth Gaydowen, NGCP spokesperson for North Luzon, said the Laoag-Marcos line was also damaged but repairs were completed at 9 am of November 1.

With the repairs finished, power was restored in Laoag City as well as in the towns of Piddig, Carasi, Sarrat, Marcos, Banna, Nueva Era, Dingras and parts of Vintar and Solsona.

The governor who immediately responded to the typhoon-devastated areas said relief operations and assistance shall be given to the victims the soonest possible time while working on the calamity budget for the repair and rehabilitation and agriculture and infrastructure damages. (With a report from Grazielle Mae A. Sales, PGIN-CMO)