Destruction of Catanduanes ”about 90%”, say Coast Guard and OCD

November 2, 2020

By Robina Asido Super Typhoon ''Rolly'' destroyed 90 percent of the province of Catanduanes, the Philippine Coast Guard said following the aerial assessment conducted on Monday.

"The destruction left by Typhoon Rolly in Catanduanes is about 90 percent based on the initial assessment of the PCG and the OCD (Office of Civil Defense)," said Commodore Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director  Ricardo Jalad said based on initial assessment around 15,000 families were affected in Catanduanes while around 10,000 houses made of light materials were totally destroyed.

Around 3,000 were partially damaged during the onslaught of ''Rolly'', which made landfall in Bato, Catanduanes early Sunday.

Jalad added that Catanduanes  has no water, electricity and telecommunication signals.

He said a total of P600 million worth of damage to agriculture was recorded, of which P400 million come from abaca and 200 million from other crops.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the ports in Catanduanes and Albay that were damaged by the super typhoon.

"The port in San Andres, Catanduanes was damaged and to aggravate the situation there is a RoRo that ran aground. So the San Andres Port in Catanduanes cannot be used," he said.

"The Tabaco Port and Pio Duran (in) Albay were also damaged. But I have given instructions not only to determine the cost but all importantly to accelerate the repairs and maintenance in order that the connectivity and mobility with Catanduanes, Tabaco and Albay will be established in the soonest possible time," he added.

Tugade told President Rodrigo Duterte in the afternoon's NDRMMC meeting  airport operations in Legazpi, Naga, Virac and other areas have returned to normal.

"Mr. President, speaking of airports Legazpi, Naga, Virac, as of today (it) is back to normal operations. The Manila International Airport is back to operations at 10 o’clock this morning. Clark International Airport has been operational since 7 o’clock this morning. Subic and Sangley are also back to the airport --- to operations," he added.

Tugade was optimistic that the targeted completion of the construction of Bicol International Airport at the end of the year will not be affected.

"It behooves me to say that my target to finish the physical construction of Bicol International Airport by the end of this year still stands," he said.

"The contractors were saying if I can make it on the first quarter ng next year. I said the deadline is the deadline. Without sacrificing quality and incurring additional cost , the deadline of completing the new Bicol International Airport will be completed on the schedule which we have set notwithstanding the arrival of 'Rolly'," he added. DMS