The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed gratitude to its members, volunteers, and private entities that helped in its fund drive and relief operations for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
The expression was made in House Resolution (HR) 531 that the chamber adopted unanimously.
The measure was authored by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos lll, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre, and David Suarez of Quezon.
“In addition to the harsh impact of the severe tropical storm, victims are also dealing with contaminated potable water sources, electricity supply cut, waterborne and food-borne diseases, and basic supply shortage, all while grieving for the loss of their homes, livelihood, and loved ones,” the resolution said.
It noted that the House, through the initiative of the Speaker, immediately recognized the urgency for aid to be delivered to those affected by the storm and launched a fund drive and relief operations.
“The call for aid and assistance was promptly answered by members of the House of Representatives, officials, employees and staff from other national government agencies, volunteers, and private entities, triggering round-the-clock relief operations at the Batasang Pambansa complex,” the resolution said.
The House thus was able to raise P49.2 million in cash contributions and pledges and in-kind donations such as blankets, food items, and toiletries from private entities. The cash and donated items have already been distributed to storm victims.
The House thanked all those who helped in the fund drive and relief operations for their time, effort, and resources.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday said the agriculture sector suffered damage worth P4.2 billion as a result of Paeng.
The damage was recorded in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
At least 109,489 fishers and farmers were also affected by the damage to 121,287.655 hectares of the crop area.
Paeng’s damage to infrastructure climbed to P4.67 billion.
Calabarzon still recorded the highest amount of damage, involving 113 structures worth P1.25 billion.
Mimaropa was next with 269 damaged structures amounting to P997 million, and the Bicol region with 180 structures damaged at a cost of P793.37 million.
The reported death toll due to Paeng rose to 159.
Thirty people were still reported missing, while 147 were injured.
The storm affected 5.3 million people or 1.3 million families in 9,680 barangays.
The NDRRMC also recorded 53,229 houses damaged due to Paeng, amounting to P17.29 million. Of these, 48,248 were partially damaged while 4,981 were destroyed.
The storm rendered 112 roads and 58 bridges impassable.
A total of P223 million worth of assistance has already gone to regions affected by the storm, the NDRRMC said.
The storm also compromised railway tracks, forcing the Philippine National Railways to run limited trips and with decreased speed.
Only 10 train sets are operational; two are stranded in Lucena, and six are under repair. The train bridge connecting Binan stations to Calamba is unsafe.
Sections of train tracks at Sariaya and Candelaria are covered in fallen trees, rocks, and garbage. The Naga to Sipocot route resumed three days ago after tedious clearing operations.
After almost a week, only the routes to and from Tutuban to Alabang, Tutuban to Binan, Gov Pascual to Bicutan, and Naga to Sipocot were operational.
The City Agriculturist Office in Zamboanga City said Paeng damaged P67.2 million worth of crops, including fishery products and resources.
City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez said the damage when Paeng hit the city on Oct. 28 and 29 covered 238.60 hectares of farms planted with agricultural crops and fishery products across the six agricultural districts.