State of calamity in Ilocos Sur
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – This province was placed under a state of calamity due to the severe effects of southwest monsoon which triggered heavy rains and widespread flooding over the weekend.
In a joint session of the legislative and executive offices presided by Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis V. Singson on Tuesday at the capitol, the officials have approved a Resolution 109-18 declaring the province as under a state of calamity.
Ilocos Norte was likewise placed under a state of calamity earlier this week by Governor Imee R. Marcos also due to the heavy rains and widespread flooding.
Due to the onslaught of southwest monsoon enhanched by Tropical Depresion ‘Luis’, heavy rains inundated towns and cities. Landslides were also reported.
Based on the initial report consolidated by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), damage to the agriculture sector and infrastructire was pegged at P200 million.
Field reports stated that an Ilocos Sur resident died after a landslide while one person drowned in Luna, La Union.
Ilocos Sur residents described the current floods as the worst in history, while appealing to the provincial government to beef up flood control programs and look into reported illegal logging activities, which may have exacerbated the floods.
Meantime, Ilocos regional police director Chief Supt Romulo Sapitula said that as of yesterday morning, 42 barangays in the region remain flooded, 11 roads remain impassable and some 86 houses and buildings damaged, while 730 residents sought shelter in evacuation centers.
More than a hundred households in the different towns in Ilocos Sur remain submerged in floodwaters.
Meanwhile, at least 19 houses were hit by a whirlwind in the towns of Sinait, Sta. Lucia, and Sta. Cruz on Saturday while heavy rains hit the province.
In Sta. Lucia town, seven houses were totally damaged by a whirlwind while 4 houses were partially damaged in Barangay Paoc Norte, displacing 11 families. (with a report from Mar T. Supnad)