Agri, infra damage in La Union due to 'Emong' top P1 B
DAGUPAN CITY – Agriculture and infrastructure damage in La Union due to typhoon ‘’Emong’’ has breached the P1-billion mark, according to the latest situational report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
The report, issued Thursday, said that as of the previous night, infrastructure damage in the province was at P1.1 billion while agriculture damage was at P145.6 million.
Emong, which hit the country last week, also left P4.7-million damage to livestock and poultry in La Union, the PDRRMO report said.
The typhoon affected 71,026 families, or 215,097 individuals, from 414 barangays in Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Luna, San Gabriel, Santol, Sudipen, Agoo, Aringay, Bagulin, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, Santo Tomas, Tubao, and San Fernando City.
Though no casualty has so far been reported, Emong damaged 15,851 houses and destroyed 1,860 others.
The PDRRMO report also said electricity in Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Tubao, Pugo, Santo Tomas, and Rosario has been fully restored, while restoration is ongoing in the other affected areas.
In a statement on Thursday, Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega ensured the prompt delivery of support and assistance to affected residents.
“Rest assured that we have sufficient relief assistance and we are closely coordinating with the local chief executives of every town to assess the situation and swiftly act (on) the needs of the affected constituents,” he said.
The severe effect of the typhoon had prompted the provincial government to place La Union under a state of calamity on July 26, through Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) Resolution 1410-2025.
As of Wednesday, an estimated 9,000 family food packs have been augmented by the provincial government to the relief operations of local government units (LGUs).
Together with personnel of the Office of Civil Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines, Ortega led an aerial inspection of the affected areas to assess the extent of Emong's damage and its impact on the province.
He directed the Provincial Engineering Office to expedite assistance to LGUs in conducting clearing operations of debris, fallen trees, and damaged electric posts.