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CamNorte rehab efforts to inch faster amid calamity state

By Samuel Toledo

November 18, 2020, 8:54 pm

<p><em>Map of Camarines Norte </em></p>

Map of Camarines Norte 

LEGAZPI CITY – A disaster management official of Camarines Norte, the worst-hit Bicol province by Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco), has expressed optimism that placing entire Luzon under a state of calamity would expedite the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in their ravaged communities.

Tony Espanya, Camarines Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chief, in an interview on Wednesday, said the release of calamity funds would be faster under the declaration.

This, he added, could translate into immediate funding for rehabilitation and restoration works in various communities crippled not only by "Ulysses" but also by Super Typhoon Rolly.

Before Malacañang placed the whole of Luzon under the calamity state, Camarines Norte was already declared in the same status.

“In fact, we are now at the stage of post-disaster need analysis. And in terms of rapid damage and need assessment, we are now formulating medium and long-term recovery and rehabilitation plans for infrastructure and agriculture,” Espanya told the Philippine News Agency.

He said initial report showed that more than 80 percent of the agricultural land in the province was damaged by flash floods brought about by the incessant amount of precipitation, with total amount of losses estimated at PHP37.3 million.

Espanya noted that "Ulysses" displaced and affected more than 7,290 families or 23,800 persons in 188 villages.

He said there is an urgent need to rehabilitate the damaged roads and bridges for the different businesses in the province to go back to normal operations.

“Right now, some of the areas in the Poblacion are supplied already with electricity,” Espanya said.

He lamented, however, that thousands of families are still in evacuation centers as their houses were totally flattened by "Ulysses".

Despite this, Espanya is thankful for the low number of fatalities in the province due to the typhoon's onslaught.

"Ulysses" left five people dead and four missing in Camarines Norte. (PNA)

 

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