LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has begun initial relief operations for residents in evacuation centers affected by Typhoon Marce, starting Nov. 8.
Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc led the distribution of relief packs on Friday to 34 evacuated families in Pasuquin town, 272 evacuated families in Bacarra, and 25 families evacuated at Rioeng Barangay Hall in Laoag City.
Mickey Salmasan, an evacuee from Brgy. Puyupuyan in Pasuquin said Typhoon Marce damaged their house, especially their roof.
“We evacuated last night during the peak of the strong wind and rain. In our house, the roof came off and it flew away; at the same time, our livestock were affected, and so many fallen trees and twigs fell around our house,” Salmasan said.
“We receive relief packs, including towels, slippers, groceries, and water. These are from our municipal and provincial governments. My family and I would like to thank our local government for their assistance. We hope we can recover from the damages,” he added.
Based on the situation report of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) at 5:00 p.m., Nov. 11, a total of 916 residents are in evacuation centers around the province.
Around 4,749 families or 14,825 individuals are affected by the typhoon.
Typhoon Marce also totally damaged 82 houses and partially damaged 4,086 houses.
A total of 996 houses have also been isolated; one was affected due to a landslide, and 196 houses were flooded.
The province also sustained P13,652,925 worth of infrastructure damages and P31, 027, 387.90 in agriculture damages.
Moreover, the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (INEC) has resumed their power restoration efforts in affected towns in the province after some primary backbone lines were damaged due to the strong winds and rain.
As of Nov. 11, INEC has reenergized 93.98 percent, or 522 barangays affected around the province.
Typhoon Marce also caused two foreign sea vessels to run aground along the shores of Brgy. Gaang and Brgy. Victoria in Currimao due to the strong waves and winds on Nov. 7.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Currimao Substation, all 15 and five crew on board of the LCT PanPhil 8 and MV Aries, respectively, were all accounted for.
As of Nov. 12, MV Aries was pulled by PCG’s Warrior 6 ship and is now safely at the anchorage area.
Meanwhile, LCT PanPhil is still aground to be pulled to the anchorage area once the weather clears. (AMB/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)
