The post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) for typhoon “Odette” continues more than one month since it happened as the combined damage to infrastructure and agriculture sectors already reached to a staggering P29 billion.
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. presented the latest PDNA to President Duterte during the “Talk to the People” public address on Monday night, Jan. 17.
He said the estimated cost of damage to infrastructure was now placed at P18,144,840,164.80 while agricultural loss was pegged at P11,713,698,268.54.
The damages were incurred in Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Northern Mindanao (Region 10), Davao (Region 11), Soccsksargen (Region 12), Caraga (Region 13), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Meanwhile, the government has sustained its relief missions to provide the basic needs of 2,322,179 affected families or 8,134,114 individuals.
Caraig said the OCD has provided P139 million worth of assistance and 6.49 million kilos of relief items to the affected population which were composed of food and non-food items.
Fresh water
Duterte also asked the OCD official if the affected residents were getting enough water since this should be the basic necessity on top of the food supply.
“In terms of water, Mr. President, OCD provided 1.74 liters or 2.1 million water bottles and a donation from Lucio Tan Group and Chinese Chambers of Commerce of 1.9 million liters of water, and we have still a reserve of 2.175 liters to be distributed to the affected regional areas for a total of 5.2 liters,” Caraig said.
“The remaining 2.1 liters or equivalent to 4,350,000 bottles are to be distributed to the different areas, regional areas: MIMAROPA, Region VII, VIII and CARAGA. These are the regional --- regions needing these bottled waters, sir,” he added.
Accordingly, the regional disaster risk reduction and management councils (RDRRMCs) facilitated the door-to-door deliveries of 932 liters of potable drinking water directly to 2,830 barangays.
“ IV-B and Region VII are complemented with water filtration system, sir. This is to address the problems about diarrhea and other water-related diseases, sir. In Bohol, there are actually nine water filtration systems donated by various donors. For Region VI, it manifested that it is not in need of water so it decided to support other regions in need of water,” Caraig said.
Meanwhile, non-affected regional offices of OCD such as Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Regions 10, 11, and 12 were negotiating with private water companies such as Nature’s Spring for the procurement of additional water which will be distributed to the affected regions.
“Actually, Region X has a pending delivery of 193 liters for Region VII and 213 liters for Caraga. While Region XII already delivered 113 liters for CARAGA, as well as Region IX at 935 liters. Region XI is now negotiating, sir, with Nature’s Spring here at the regional office for additional procurement of Nature’s Spring bottled water and to be delivered also to CARAGA and Region VII,” Caraga said.
Relief efforts
Further, the OCD through the Shelter Cluster has also agreed to submit a proposal to the Office of the President for the provision of shelter funding assistance for affected families based on the damaged houses.
The OCD said a total of 1,370,668 houses were destroyed by the typhoon and this accounted for P64,735,018 worth of damages.
“Relatedly, the Philippine Coconut Authority, in support to our shelter initiative, reports deployment of chainsaws for use in shelter construction and other operations to include the clearing of trees for shelter materials,” Caraig said.
“For the ways ahead, we really need the sustainment of our early recovery interventions and the completion of Post-Disaster Needs Assessment and formulation of Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan,” he concluded.