Albay declares state of calamity due to Super Typhoon Uwan

By Sally Atento - Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- The provincial government of Albay has assured a swift response and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong).

The Albay provincial board on Tuesday afternoon (November 11) approved the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare the entire province under a state of calamity due to extensive damage to lifeline infrastructure and facilities.

The declaration enables the provincial government to use calamity and quick response funds for rescue and relief efforts and enforce a price freeze on basic necessities.

“Although President Marcos declared a national state of calamity, it is prudent for Albay to establish our own basis for this declaration, given the severe damage to properties, infrastructure, and agriculture, particularly concerning power supply,” said Albay Governor Noel Rosal.

Rosal noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has pledged to distribute additional relief packs to nearly 332,000 individuals, or over 100,000 families, who were evacuated for safety and have since returned home.

Initial reports indicate that nearly 8,000 families sustained partial damage to their homes, while about 400 families reported total destruction of their residences.

The Albay Electric Cooperative Inc. (ALECO) reported that, as of Wednesday afternoon, power has been restored to 127 barangays, representing approximately 18 percent of the 720 affected areas. Out of more than 211,000 affected consumers, about 32 percent have regained electricity.

ALECO technical services department manager Mark Jessan Lucilo said that damage assessments and power restoration efforts are ongoing, aiming for full restoration by the end of November.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Daryl John Buenconsejo reported initial agricultural losses amounting to P785 million, impacting over 22,000 farmers and nearly 130 fisherfolk.

Alvin Cuz, the Department of Education’s disaster risk reduction and management coordinator for Albay, said that damage to classrooms has an initial estimated cost of P312 million, with assessments in additional schools still underway.

Damage assessments for infrastructure and other sectors are ongoing and may increase the total estimated losses.

On the other hand, Department of Trade and Industry Albay Provincial Director Noel Bunao reminded consumers and business owners about the ongoing price freeze under the nationwide state of calamity declaration due to Typhoons Tino and Uwan. (PIA5/Albay)