Various infrastructure in Negros Oriental amounting close to PHP600 million were damaged by Typhoon Odette during its onslaught in the province on December 16.
Adrian Sedillo, executive director of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), in an interview on Monday, said this is just the initial estimate reported by the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO), as reports are being awaited from the different local government units (LGUs), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the private sector.
The damaged infrastructure include roads, bridges, school buildings, public markets, gymnasiums, and river dikes, and shoreline protection.
Sedillo said there is still no clear picture on the total extent of the damage due to slow reporting on the ground. “There is very little and slow reporting from the LGUs due to the massive power outage and the absence of mobile phones and Internet/Wi-Fi signals,” he said in mixed English and Cebuano.
He added that some of the LGU personnel such as DRRMO officers and local government employees, are also “victims” of the typhoon.
“That is why we do not even have a report yet on the damage to property, crops, and other sources of income,” Sedillo said.
Governor Roel Degamo on Sunday authorized the release of food packs, water, and other basic necessities for distribution to the hardest-hit areas, from Tanjay City to Vallehermoso in the north.
Bayawan City, Basay, and the mountain areas of Pamplona and Mabinay were also badly hit, while this capital city down to Sta. Catalina reported moderate to minimal damage, Sedillo added.
Meanwhile, the PDDRMC passed a resolution requesting the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare the province under a state of calamity.
Sedillo said once this is approved, the province’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) previously known as calamity fund could be used for relief and rehabilitation purposes, although he could not yet give the exact available amount.
“We still need to check on how much is left of our QRF considering that we have already used a portion of it for our coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response,” he said.
Nevertheless, the QRF in next year’s budget may also be allocated for relief and rehabilitation purposes if this year’s financial resources for calamities run out, he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency