ILOCOS NORTE – Government and non-government organizations have distributed aid to 55,403 families affected by the Typhoon Carina-enhanced southwest monsoon, with damages in Ilocos Norte amounting to PHP221 million.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development along with various local government units and NGOs have provided PHP3.8 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the region. Rochelle Gajes, officer-in-charge of the provincial social welfare and development, emphasized the continuation of relief efforts to prioritize the most affected residents. Infrastructure losses have reached PHP218.94 million and the agriculture sector has seen approximately PHP2 million in damages. The reports come from multiple agencies including the Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineering Office 1 and the Provincial Engineering Office.
Provincial agriculturist Teresa Bacnat detailed the agricultural losses, including damage to lowland vegetable crops, overflowed fish cages, and a motorized banca that was lost in Barangay Bobon, Burgos town. Schools have also reported PHP5.7 million in damages mostly to classrooms. The power infrastructure suffered as well, with outages reported in several towns and parts of the cities of Laoag and Batac due to tripped power lines.
In response to the ongoing power disruptions, the city government of Batac has set up a free charging station at the Imelda Cultural Center for essential devices. Marcell Tabije, local disaster risk reduction and management officer, stated that the province remains on red alert due to the persistent effects of the monsoon. Tabije urged the community to follow safety precautions to minimize risks.
Meanwhile, in Piddig town, relief efforts were coordinated to reach isolated areas. Michael Aguinaldo, the municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, reported that relief packs were distributed to 165 isolated households in Sitio Utoy and Bangalan, with assistance from the Philippine Marines and local responders.