Pepito leaves thousands homeless in Catanduanes

By Rhaydz Barcia

Legazpi City --- Super Typhoon Pepito left more than 3,850 families homeless in the island province of Catanduanes. The storm displaced 104,837 families or 438,207 individuals now staying in temporary shelters, while 333,414 families or 1,262,537 persons across the Bicol Region were severely affected.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that 1,087 houses were completely destroyed, while 2,763 were partially damaged, based on an initial assessment by the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council of Catanduanes.

Among the 11 municipalities in Catanduanes, the towns of Gigmoto, Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Virac, and San Andres were the hardest hit, with significant numbers of families losing their homes.

Gigmoto: 1,146 families affected (303 houses totally destroyed, 843 partially damaged)

Pandan: 665 families affected (381 totally destroyed, 284 partially damaged)

Panganiban: 493 families affected (105 totally destroyed, 388 partially damaged)

Bagamanoc: 403 families affected (116 totally destroyed, 287 partially damaged)

Viga: 472 families affected (104 totally destroyed, 368 partially damaged)

Virac: 491 families affected (59 totally destroyed, 432 partially damaged)

San Andres: 173 families affected (19 totally destroyed, 154 partially damaged)

Regional Impact

The OCD Bicol reported that 71,209 families or 320,734 individuals are staying in 1,742 evacuation centers, while 33,628 families or 117,473 individuals are seeking refuge outside these shelters.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol also recorded that Pepito affected 369,380 families, comprising 1,393,027 individuals across the region’s six provinces. Of these, 74,914 families (333,627 individuals) are in evacuation centers, while 27,905 families (98,980 individuals) are staying in private homes.

Relief Efforts

The DSWD has distributed ₱7,116,372.24 worth of assistance to 119,186 families in Bicol, with a total of ₱24,322,720 worth of humanitarian aid provided to affected areas. Relief operations continue, with food packs and essential items delivered to affected communities.

According to Norman Laurio, DSWD Bicol Director, 15,100 family food packs (FFPs) have been dispatched to the worst-hit municipalities in Catanduanes and the 4th district of Camarines Sur.

Laurio stated that ₱151 million in standby funds is available for immediate use at regional warehouses and prepositioning sites. “The department is working closely with other government agencies, including uniformed personnel, to ensure prompt delivery of assistance to those severely affected by STY Pepito,” Laurio said.

Reinforcements

At least 23 trucks carrying 44,600 family food packs from the DSWD’s Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) and National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) have arrived at regional warehouses in Pawa and Bogtong, Legazpi City. The unloading is being carried out with the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Relief distribution remains a priority as the region strives to recover from the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Pepito.