‘Ulysses’ leaves Bicol region with P2-B damages in agri, infra

Over P2-billion worth of agriculture, irrigation and public infrastructures were damaged by floods and landslides spawned by Typhoon “Ulysses” that hit Bicol on Nov. 11, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol said.

Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD spokesperson, said damages to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock were placed at P128 million with the province of Camarines Norte losing P82.2 million followed by Camarines Sur with P38.5 million, Albay with P1.9 million, and Sorsogon P308 million.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), PhilRice, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol reported P4.3 million in damages.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Bicol report said damages to irrigation system was placed at P119.4 million.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol posted P1.9 billion damages to national roads and bridges,P495 million, flood control, P334 million and buildings and other infrastructures ,P1.1 billion.

DPWH report said the damages were national road at the Maharlika Highway of the Bicol mainland covering the provinces Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon, including bridges and flood control structures, which were destroyed by either flooding, storm surges and landslides.

There were close to 1,000 school buildings worth P295 million, which were either partially or totally damaged, the Department of Education (DepED) said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has recorded 47,939 damaged houses due to “Ulysses,” 36,167 of which were partially damaged while 11,782 were destroyed.

OCD report as of Nov. 17 said 19,000 families or 70,412 persons are still in various evacuation centers in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Masbate.

Jessar Adornado, OCD operation chief, when asked about the recovery plan for Bicol, said that the OCD will submit to the different government agencies the reports, which after validation, will prepare the recovery programs and projects for funding purposes.