LAOAG CITY—The province of Apayao was placed on Friday under a state of calamity due to severe flooding brought about by torrential rains and the onslaught of typhoon “Quiel”, leaving two persons dead Thursday night.
In a special session held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, members of the Apayao board presided by Vice Governor Remy Albano unanimously approved a resolution declaring the province under a state of calamity.
“We have two casualties—a board member from Calanasan and a member of the Philippine National Police who died in a landslide,” Albano confirmed in a telephone interview.
As of posting, the estimated cost of damage has yet to be announced as several road networks have been closed due to landslides while electricity and communication signals in most parts of the province are currently down.
Albano said the victims--Board Member Tolentino Mangalao, 54, of Calanasan, Apayao; and Cpl. Rommel Gumidam Jr. of Kabugao town--died after a landslide hit the house they were staying in at Kabugao town.
The two were supposed to attend an assembly in Namaltogan village, Albano said.
Meanwhile, a village treasurer in Barangay Karagawan, Kabugao was also reported missing, Albano added.
A number of poultry and livestock also drowned in San Sebastian, Luna, Apayao after Apayao River and its tributaries overflowed.
The Apayao Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has urged all residents to stay vigilant as moderate with occasional heavy rains will still be experienced over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
The weather bureau said “Quiel” is expected to intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours but is less likely to make landfall in any part of the country.
An active tropical cyclone is also moving north northeast at 30-kilometer per hour with maximum sustained winds of 120-kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150-kilometer per hour but it is not expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility. (PNA)