Ilocos Norte under state of calamity due to 'Egay'
Published Jul 26, 2023 01:59 pm
LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday afternoon, July 26, due to severe flooding and strong winds brought about by typhoon "Egay.”
ILOCOS Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc distributes relief goods for 'Egay' evacuees. (CMO-Ilocos Norte Capitol photo) In a special session at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall here, the provincial board presided by Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos unanimously approved Resolution No. 2023-07-173 declaring a state of calamity in the province. During the passage of the resolution, provincial board member Dante Franklin Respicio said: "There are hundreds of millions of pesos worth of damages to agriculture, infrastructure, and other properties, including a number of residents who were rendered homeless due to the typhoon. Hence, the need to declare a state of calamity in order for the provincial government to use, reprogram, or realign funds for the repair and rehabilitation of the damaged properties and infrastructure.” Based on an initial report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), 203 families composed of 668 individuals from the landslide and flood-prone areas of Bangui, Badoc, Bacarra, Pagudpud, Banna, Adams, Solsona, Piddig, Burgos, and Paoay, and the cities of Batac and Laoag were preemptively evacuated to the nearest evacuation center due to the continuing threat of the typhoon. Seven workers from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur who were stranded from work were also rescued and they were brought to the Bangui evacuation center. As of posting time, Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council team are making rounds in various evacuation centers in Pagudpud and Bangui to ensure that food packs and other essentials like blankets, towels, and slippers are available. A power blackout hit the towns of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, and Adams due to a pilling crane that was toppled at the Baldi Bridge in Pasuquin and led to the crash of the 69-kilovolt power transmission line. The Northwind Corp., along with the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Busilac builders, and the local governments of Pasuquin and Ilocos Norte have joined forces for the ongoing restoration effort. Eighteen generator sets from public and private entities have been activated to provide free charging stations to the public as well as for use at evacuation centers and hospitals. Since Tuesday, strong winds with light to moderate scattered rainfall are being experienced in most parts of the province, prompting Manotoc to announce the cancelation of classes on all levels as well as work in government offices except those involved in emergency response.
ILOCOS Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc distributes relief goods for 'Egay' evacuees. (CMO-Ilocos Norte Capitol photo) In a special session at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall here, the provincial board presided by Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos unanimously approved Resolution No. 2023-07-173 declaring a state of calamity in the province. During the passage of the resolution, provincial board member Dante Franklin Respicio said: "There are hundreds of millions of pesos worth of damages to agriculture, infrastructure, and other properties, including a number of residents who were rendered homeless due to the typhoon. Hence, the need to declare a state of calamity in order for the provincial government to use, reprogram, or realign funds for the repair and rehabilitation of the damaged properties and infrastructure.” Based on an initial report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), 203 families composed of 668 individuals from the landslide and flood-prone areas of Bangui, Badoc, Bacarra, Pagudpud, Banna, Adams, Solsona, Piddig, Burgos, and Paoay, and the cities of Batac and Laoag were preemptively evacuated to the nearest evacuation center due to the continuing threat of the typhoon. Seven workers from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur who were stranded from work were also rescued and they were brought to the Bangui evacuation center. As of posting time, Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council team are making rounds in various evacuation centers in Pagudpud and Bangui to ensure that food packs and other essentials like blankets, towels, and slippers are available. A power blackout hit the towns of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, and Adams due to a pilling crane that was toppled at the Baldi Bridge in Pasuquin and led to the crash of the 69-kilovolt power transmission line. The Northwind Corp., along with the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Busilac builders, and the local governments of Pasuquin and Ilocos Norte have joined forces for the ongoing restoration effort. Eighteen generator sets from public and private entities have been activated to provide free charging stations to the public as well as for use at evacuation centers and hospitals. Since Tuesday, strong winds with light to moderate scattered rainfall are being experienced in most parts of the province, prompting Manotoc to announce the cancelation of classes on all levels as well as work in government offices except those involved in emergency response.