In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

18K evacuated families decamp as 'Quinta' leaves Bicol

By Connie Calipay and Mar Serrano

October 26, 2020, 3:29 pm

<p><strong>TYPHOON AFTERMATH.</strong> Photo shows the aftermath of Typhoon Quinta in Sitio Ologon, Barangay San Isidro in Libon, Albay on Monday (Oct. 26, 2020). Jessar Adornado, OCD-Bicol operations chief, said "Quinta" affected 608 villages and 213,145 families across the Bicol region. <em>(Photo courtesy of Albay 3rd District Rep. Fernando Cabredo)</em></p>

TYPHOON AFTERMATH. Photo shows the aftermath of Typhoon Quinta in Sitio Ologon, Barangay San Isidro in Libon, Albay on Monday (Oct. 26, 2020). Jessar Adornado, OCD-Bicol operations chief, said "Quinta" affected 608 villages and 213,145 families across the Bicol region. (Photo courtesy of Albay 3rd District Rep. Fernando Cabredo)

LEGAZPI CITY – Local disaster councils in the Bicol region have started decampment procedures allowing over 18,000 families or 64,000 persons to return to their respective communities as the weather condition improved on Monday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

Typhoon Quinta made landfall Sunday night at the eastern portion of Albay covering the towns of Tiwi, Malinao, Bacacay, Malilipot, including Tabaco City, before it traversed the Southern Luzon area.

Jessar Adornado, OCD-Bicol operations chief, said "Quinta" affected 608 villages and 213,145 families or 843,508 persons across the region.

Local disaster councils evacuated a total of 27,946 families or 106,350 persons on Sunday. However, only 18,000 were initially allowed to return home and the others are expected to follow suit.

Meanwhile, in Catanduanes, 12 fishermen were reported missing after they ventured out into sea despite the no sailing order issued on Sunday by local disaster authorities.

Jerry Beo, Catanduanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said the missing fishermen were from coastal villages in the towns of Bato, Panganiban, and Gigmoto.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bicol reported that as of 11 a.m. Monday, it has lifted the suspension of sea travel in all ports in the region, allowing 569 stranded passengers, 266 trucks, and eight cars to board five sea vessels.

Classes in all levels were suspended as well as work in private and public establishments.

The Camarines Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said flooding was reported in 31 villages of the 12 towns of the province, submerging rice fields, spillways, and residential areas.

In this capital of Albay province, several urban villages were flooded, submerging houses in low-lying areas at the height of the typhoon.

In the third district of the province, several barangays in Oas, Albay were also flooded.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that the Maharlika Highway from Bicol going to Metro Manila was passable to all types of vehicles.

Power outages were also reported in Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur.

Nilda Somera, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) spokesperson, said line crews are currently conducting aerial and ground patrols to assess the impact of the typhoon to expedite restoration of affected facilities.

"Please note that loss of power may be caused by affected transmission facilities of NGCP or distribution facilities of local distribution utilities or electric cooperatives. Specific cities and municipalities affected by the power interruptions are determined by concerned distribution utilities," Somera added.

Telecommunication services were down in nine towns in Catanduanes except in the municipalities of Virac and San Andres.

Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara on Monday asked all local councils to conduct quick damage assessment on agriculture, infrastructure, health, housing, and other critical facilities. (PNA)

 

Comments