3 towns in northern Aurora to be declared under state of calamity

CASIGURAN, Aurora, July 29, 2011-After the heavy continuous rains and floodings brought by typhoon ‘Juaning’ in northern Aurora, the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag are now on the process to be declared under the state of calamity today.

Rommel Angara, chief of staff of Congressman Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that the proclamation of the 3 towns under the state of calamity would enable the provincial government and the congress to help the affected villagers in northern Aurora.

Although sporadic heavy rains have stopped, nearly 1,000 villagers in northern Aurora were evacuated due to tropical storm ‘Juaning” which caused flash floods last Wednesday.

Angara said that last night, they reached Dinalungan town and they are now proceeding to Casiguran and Dilasag after the department of public works and highways has cleared the main route. “The offices of the congressman and the provincial government have already given relief goods in Dinalungan,” Angara said.

Dinalungan, Aurora.

“The provincial government and GMA7 Kapuso foundation trucks with relief goods were brought to the Philippine Navy in barangay Dinadiawan to transport them by the sea for the immediate response to the victims of typhoon in the towns of Casiguran and Dilasag,” Angara added, although the LGU’s prepositioned their relief goods in advance for immediate response.

The provincial government teams of 48^th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, police and rescue volunteers were sent to flood-prone areas in northern Aurora.

“Assessment on the damage to infrastructure and agriculture are still on-going; however, we will declare the 3 towns under the state of calamities today and progress report to follow,” Angara said in a telephone interview.

Casiguran, Aurora.

Earlier, it was reported   that 942 families involving 4,635 persons were evacuated in the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag which have been isolated after landslides struck the landslide-prone Sitio Pimpolisan, Barangay Dianed and Barangay Abuleg in Dinalungan.

In Dilasag, 450 families were evacuated, followed by Dinalungan with 340 and 152 families in Casiguran.

The DPWH started clearing operation together with the army troopers yesterday and projected to be finished today. (Jason de Asis)

Quirino under state of calamity

QUIRINO, province, July 28, 2011-The entire province of Quirino has been declared under a state of calamity due to the devastation wrought by typhoon ‘Juaning’ in agriculture.

“There is a pressing need to give fullest assistance to our farmers in the province that was whipped by ‘Juaning’; thus, we declared the entire province under the state of calamity,” Governor Junie Cua said.

Cua told newsmen that a large portion in agriculture such as banana and corn fields among others which were at flowering stage have been destroyed by heavy rains and strong winds due to the storm.

Quirino Capitol Mart.

“The department of public works and highway already stopped in clearing the main route provincewide due to early operation of cleaning the area toppled by trees,” Cua said, adding that they are still conducting assessment on the damage in infrastructure and agriculture brought by typhoon in order to make a rehabilitation program to the affected villagers.

Prior to the declaration, other provinces such as Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes were already under the state of calamity.

Partial reports from the national disaster risk reduction and management council revealed that the death toll caused by tropical storm ‘Juaning” jumped to 35 Thursday afternoon with more than 146,000 families affected by floods and heavy rains.

25 people were still missing including the 19 fishermen from Masbate who disappeared last July 27, 2011. (Jason de Asis)