MANILA, Philippines – Two provinces, one city, and 9 towns are currently under state of calamity following the devastation brought by Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu).
In its latest situation report on Friday, October 23, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the following had been placed under a state of calamity:
Ilocos Region
- Sugpon, Ilocos Sur
Cagayan Valley
- Isabela province
- Ilagan City, Isabela
- Cabatuan, Isabela
Central Luzon
- Aurora province
- Baler, Aurora
- Calumpit, Bulacan
- Arayat, Pampanga
- Camiling, Tarlac
- Ramos, Tarlac
Calabarzon
- General Nakar, Quezon
- Infanta, Quezon
A state of calamity means calamity funds can be released easily to assist those in need, and prices of basic goods and prime commodities can be controlled to prevent increase.
The death toll due to Lando has risen to 46 – with 22 reported from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – while 82 people were injured across 6 regions. Five persons remain missing in Regions I, III, and CAR.
Lando caused damage worth P9.4 billion in agriculture and infrastructure. A total of 751 schools were also damaged by the storm, of which 240 were totally damaged, said the NDRRMC. (READ: Typhoon Lando: 'Nearly 100%' infra damage in Casiguran)
Meanwhile, 295,835 families or 1,407,805 persons were affected by Lando in 7 regions in Luzon. Over 24,000 families are still inside a total of 424 evacuation centers in affected areas.
Typhoon Lando made landfall over Casiguran, Aurora, on October 18. The town suffered the brunt of the storm, and was reportedly isolated for days. (READ: Aquino in Casiguran: Time to consider relocation)
The province of Nueva Ecija was likewise badly-hit, with Lando leaving behind billions of pesos worth of damaged crops in its wake.
Lando weakened as it exited the landmass of Ilocos Norte the next day, and was eventually downgraded to a low-pressure area on October 21. – Rappler.com