Ilocos Norte was placed under a state of calamity due to the effect of southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Depression “Luis,” with an estimated damages of P111,050,162 as of Saturday.
In a special session held at 1:30 pm, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved a proposed provincial ordinance declaring the province under state of calamity.
The estimated P65.4-million infrastructure damages covered flood and river control projects, roads, bridges, and irrigation facilities.
Agricultural damage on rice fields, fisheries, high value commercial crops, and livestock amounted to more than P45.5 million.
Through the declaration, Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba said local government units in barangay, municipal and provincial levels will be allowed to utilize their five percent calamity fund.
“We have enough calamity fund to provide assistance to the victims,” said Barba.
As of this posting, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is currently making the rounds in the towns of Paoay, Pasuquin and Burgos where some residents were isolated and their houses were reported underwater.
Meanwhile, a fisherman identified as Ernesto Manzano, 71, single and a resident of Gabut Sur, Badoc town died of hypothermia when he went fishing on Friday despite heavy rains. It was learned the victim has a heart condition.