MANILA, December 5, 2012-Damage from Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental is centered in three coastal towns—Baganga, Cateel, and Boston. Compounding the damage sustained, the three towns—with a total population of approximately 150,000 individuals—have become isolated as bridge connections—south from Mati and North from Compostela Valley—were struck down during the typhoon.
Relief goods—primarily food, water, generators, tents, and medicine provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, and civilian donations—are stored in the capital, Mati. I have thus authorized the local government of Mati, its Mayor and the provincial Governor, to use their calamity funds to hire all available large, local fishing boats for an immediate sea-lift transfer of goods to the affected areas. They are currently carrying out the directives. In addition, Secretary of Transportation and Communications Jun Abaya is sending a vessel from the Philippine Coast Guard; the Philippine Navy has likewise arranged to send over a vessel.
The situation in the rest of Davao Oriental is normalizing, and there are no visible signs of damage. The most difficult challenge we face is the restoration of power to the entire province, due to electric posts that were toppled during the typhoon. The local electric cooperative has assured us that gradual restoration of power begins twenty-four to thirty-six hours from now.
No comments:
Post a Comment