The supply of electricity and potable water in the province of Batanes remain limited following the impact of super typhoon ‘Julian’ in the area, a local disaster official said on Sunday.
According to Liz Pama, head of the Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, only six out of 29 barangays have access to electricity and safe drinking water.
“We felt that the storm was a super typhoon because of its strength. It moved very slowly, causing significant damage to us. It stayed with us for more than eight hours,” Pama said.
Pama said the storm caused damage worth P813 million to agriculture, infrastructure, and housing in the province. Among the affected are roads, bridges, and public buildings. More than 100 houses were also destroyed due to the storm.
“The damage in Batanes was significant after Julian passed through since we became its center,” she noted. “The damage here is considerable. In Basco, there is extensive damage to houses, agriculture, and facilities.”
The roof of Basco airport is destroyed, and there is still no electricity since Sunday, although the air navigation equipment that was initially damaged has been repaired, allowing airport operations to resume.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA) said it already deployed additional electricity line workers under its Task Force Kapatid to aid the Batanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATANELCO) in its ongoing power restoration efforts.
The NEA through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department reported that estimated damage to power distribution lines reached P20.6-million across the provinces of Batanes, Abra and Benguet.
BATANELCO incurred the heaviest damage estimated at P19.588-million. It continues to experience power interruptions with 6,329 consumers affected, particularly in the municipalities of Ivana, Mahatao and Uyugan.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) delivered relief goods from Manila continued using a C-130 plane.
Two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from the US Marines Expeditionary Force, coming from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, are also set to bring humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including food supplies and materials for house repairs.
The planes will land at Laoag Airport, and from there, the aircraft will transport supplies to Batanes. This mission is part of the disaster relief efforts of America, through the United States Agency for International Development.
The PAF transported two batches of essential goods, providing life-saving assistance to approximately 14,000 individuals affected by the super typhoon.
“The Philippine Air Force remains steadfast in its mission to deliver timely and efficient air transport in support of national humanitarian efforts, demonstrating once again its unwavering commitment to serve the Filipino people.” PAF Spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday that the typhoon claimed five lives. It also affected a total of 317,671 individuals.
According to latest data from the NDRRMC, four deaths were reported in Ilocos Region and one in Cagayan. The number of injured remained at eight, with one person still missing.
A total of 317,671 persons or 97,871 families residing in 912 barangays across the country were affected by the typhoon.
NDRRMC also reported a total of 105 damaged infrastructure during the onslaught of typhoon Julian with losses over P934.4 million.
Damage to agriculture peaked at P414.1 million, affecting 13,608 farmers and fisherfolk, as well as 12,343 hectares of rice, corn and high value crops.
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