Typhoon Ofel’s gusty winds and strong rains left behind a partially collapsed bridge, dead livestock, and destroyed crops in the province of Cagayan.
According to a “24 Oras” report by Jasmin Gabriel-Galban on Friday, both sides of San Jose Bridge in Gonzaga broke and left several motorists stranded.
Logs believed to have come from the mountains were also scattered in the area.
Other parts of Gonzaga were also submerged by the flood due to the heavy rains.
“Mahirap po, ma’am. Walang sasakyan na papunta rito, kaya naglakad na lang ako,” said resident Pedro Lameg.
(It is hard, ma’am. There are no vehicles so I just walked.)
The Department of Public Works and Highways said it would work double time to repair the bridge to make it passable anew.
“So, ang nasira [ay] yung approaches natin. Nawash-out, so I can assure na madali na natin mairerestore ito kasi marami namang equipment. Tulong-tulong both private and DPWH and I think may LGU pa. Within the day, I’m very sure makakadaan ang mga tao. Bibilisan namin to,” said DPWH Region 2 Director Mathias Malenab.
(What broke was our approaches. It was washed out, so I can assure that it will be easily restored because we have a lot of equipment. Both private, the DPWH, and I think the LGU are working together. Within the day, I’m very sure that people will be able to pass through. We’ll be quick with this.)
Typhoon Ofel also left behind destroyed rice plantations buried under scattered logs and killed livestock of resident farmers in the area.
“Mahirap i-explain, ma’am. Alaga namin, kabuhayan din namin yang mga [namatay na hayop.] Tsaka yung mga palayan maam, natabunan din ng mga [troso]. Bahala na,” said farmer Jose Butay.
(It’s hard to explain, ma’am. [The animals that died] were our pets, and also our livelihoods. And the plantations, they were also buried [by logs]. Whatever happens, happens.)
In Barangay Santa Margarita in Baggao, a school was destroyed following the landfall of what was then Super Typhoon Ofel.
Several areas in Sta. Ana town are still under floodwaters as authorities continued rescue operations for residents near riverbanks through the night.
Authorities are conducting an assessment to determine the cost and extent of damage caused by Ofel.
Meanwhile, evacuees in Barangay Palawig were allowed to return to their homes due to fair weather. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News
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