Infra damage from Typhoon Julian hits P934M

(UPDATE) TYPHOON Julian damaged infrastructure worth over P934 million, the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed.

The report pegged the damage at P934,483,010.27, spread in Regions 1 (Ilocos) and 2 (Cagayan Valley) and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).

The Ilocos Region sustained the biggest damage at P738,157,080.27, followed by Cagayan Region with P158,362,000 and CAR with 37,963,930.

Agricultural damage was estimated at P321 million.

The United States on Saturday sent essential aid to Batanes residents badly affected by Typhoon Julian.

Philippine Air Force Public Affairs head Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo in a statement said two Hercules C-130 J cargo aircraft from the Marine Expeditionary Force arrived at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base Saturday afternoon carrying personnel and equipment intended for Batanes.

“These aircraft, which departed from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, will assist in the ongoing relief efforts in the province of Batanes, which was severely affected by Typhoon Julian,” Castillo said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with the Joint US Military Assistance Group (Jusmag), coordinated with the local government of Batanes on October 5 to ensure effective relief operations.

The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, represented by Lt. Col. Ariel Galimba, and Jusmag Chief Col. Edward Evans made a courtesy visit to Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco.

They emphasized the importance of close collaboration with local authorities to streamline logistics and ensure vital resources reach the hardest-hit areas.

The Jusmag team, along with representatives from the US Agency for International Development (USAid), also collaborated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for the swift distribution of foreign disaster relief supplies to affected communities in Batanes.