Cua: Catanduanes cries for more relief assistance

GOVERNOR Joseph Cua has appealed for more assistance after Typhoon “Ulysses” battered the island province of Catanduanes on Nov. 11, this time hitting towns that were least damaged by super Typhoon “Rolly” on Nov. 1.

Cua said that several houses and infrastructures were again destroyed by “Ulysses” when it brought heavy to torrential rains that triggered landslides and inundated several low-lying areas in the northern side of the island, particularly Bagamanoc, Pandan, Caramoran, Gigmoto and portion of Viga.

“What seems ironic is the fact that these towns hit by “Ulysses” are the areas that were least affected by super Typhoon “Rolly” that had its landfall at the eastern side of Catanduanes. Therefore, all the towns in our province are now affected by these typhoons, which means more assistance that we will be needing,” Cua said.

Cua lamented that the one-percent progress in their recovery efforts after “Rolly” was again pulled back to zero by “Ulysses.”

“Our calamity funds are almost depleted already because of the massive devastation left by “Rolly.” And here comes another from “Ulysses.” More people will be needing help this time,” Cua added.

As an example, (while still waiting for an official damage assessment due to Ulysses), Cua cited the dozens of houses that were submerged by flash floods in Barangay Hinipaan by the rain-loaded howler.

“You could see in the social media the pictures of these houses that only the roof are protruding when these were submerged by “Ulysses”-spawned floods,” Cua said.

Cua said that several landslides have rendered major roads impassable in the “Ulysses”-hit towns.

Though Cua admitted that assistance in cash and in-kind continue to pour to his province, but they will be needing more due to the devastation left again by the recent typhoon.

State weather forecasters confirmed that while “Rolly” had inflicted massive destruction due to its super typhoon category wind force and gustiness, ranging from 260 kilometer per hour (kph) to 310 kph, respectively, “Ulysses” had brought heavy to torrential rains that submerged houses in low-lying areas and already eroded and heavily saturated mountains.

Electricity, water supply, and internet signals have yet to be restored in Catanduanes, this amid the ongoing rehabilitations works across this Pacific Ocean-facing island.