TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Batanes has recommended to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan the passage of a resolution declaring a state of calamity across the province due to the extensive damage caused by severe tropical storm Julian.
Liz Cabitac, the PDRRM officer, said the local council is expected to deliberate on the proposal and may issue the declaration today.
According to the council’s initial damage assessment report, the province has suffered significant damage to agriculture, houses, public and private buildings, and various infrastructure facilities.
Cabitac noted that all six municipalities have been affected, with 6,506 families—totaling 19,091 individuals—impacted. Additionally, there were 17 reported cases of minor injuries.
Currently, 26 families, comprising 70 individuals, seek shelter at evacuation centers.
In response to the disaster, council members and volunteer groups began clearing operations yesterday, focusing on main roads to ensure accessibility across the municipalities for effective response and relief efforts.
Cabitac also said they distributed family food packs on Batan Island yesterday.
The entire province continues to experience power outages, and the telecommunications services from Smart are also down.
Cabitac said they are conducting a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis to determine the full extent of the impact of Typhoon Julian on the province. (OTB/PIA Region 2)
