LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Catanduanes Gov. Joseph "Boboy" Cua has appealed to government and private individuals to help people affected by super typhoon "Pepito" in the province.
THE aftermath of super typhoon ‘Pepito’ in Panganiban town in Catanduanes province. (Photo courtesy of Morris Aquino)
Cua said that the province was severely devastated by Pepito that battered the province on Saturday evening.
"Maraming dumaan na bagyo lalo na ‘yung bagyong Kristine na kung saan nagdeklara tayo ng state of calamity, balita ko sa mga barangay officials nag-release na rin ng kanilang mga calamity funds, exhausted na, so with the muncipal mayors, kami rin nabawasan na ang aming pondo," he said.
Cua said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has released a calamity fund of P50 million but said this was not enought.
He said that 32 percent of the 81,445 families in Catanduanes were affected. Severely affected were the towns of Gigmoto, Viga, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, Pandan, and Caramoran.
"’Yung Virac lang ang medyo mahina pero hindi ito ano, sa ibang probinsiya hindi ito mahina, although super typhoon ito. Sa north part ng Catanduanes parang bagyong Rolly, ‘yung Virac, San Andres, at Bato, 75 percent na bagyong Rolly ito," he said.
Cua said there was no reported casualties in the six municipalities devastated by Pepito as of Sunday afternoon.
Although reporting has not been completed due to ongoing assessment, Cua believes that the province has achieved zero casualty after the government imposed preemptive evacuation on residents vulnerable to hazards.
"Pasalamat tayo sa mga uniformed personnel, PNP, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire, Coast Guard, at mga barangay officials na nagtulong-tulong para sa isinagawang evacuation kahapon," he added.
Cua said that Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian called him and promised to send 10,000 food packs.
However, Cua said these are not enough.
"Kasi ang isang barangay ang household nasa 400 to 500 na. We have 315 barangays all over Catanduanes kaya kailangan ang suporta ng national government lalo ang DSWD, ang OCD kung saan normally, eh super typhoon ito, nagpapadala ng mga GI sheets, mga plywood, mga hardware materials dahil sigurado ako madami kaming nawalan ng bahay," Cua said.
Cua appealed for donations from residents of Catanduanes living outside the province.
"Yung mga Catandunganon na nasa Metro Manila at nasa abroad, good news po at wala tayong reported casualty, pero grabe ang pinsala ng bagyong itong lumipas kaya nanawagan ulit ako, ang provincial government na humihingi kami ng donasyon, kung anuman, in cash or in kind na tulong sa probinsiya ng Catanduanes."