No casualty in Isabela due to ‘Ompong,’ says governor

The province of Isabela has reported “zero casualty” despite being battered by Typhoon “Ompong” over the weekend, its governor said on Tuesday.

“Yes, sa awa po ng Diyos, zero casualty ang ating lalawigan ng Isabela,” Governor Faustino “Bodjie” Dy III said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.

According to Dy, the provincial government would prefer being “too prepared” for natural calamities like “Ompong,” than not doing anything at all.  He also said that this sense of urgency stemmed from the province’s experience with previous typhoons, where Isabela was one of the most affected areas.

“Maaga ang aming paghahanda, talagang labis-labis ang kahandaan ng probinsya, ika nga hindi baleng sumobra ang paghahanda ‘wag lang tayong kulangin dahil nasa huli ang pagsisisi,” he said.

“Alam niyo naman ang Isabela, eastern coast, eh tayo ‘yong pasukan (ng bagyo), nasasanay na ‘yong ating mga kababayan.  Noong 2010 kasi tinamaan ang Isabela ng super typhoon, nag storm surge din,” Dy added.

On Saturday morning, “Ompong” made landfall at Baggao, Cagayan.  Due to its huge diameter which spanned at least 900 kilometers in its peak, other neighboring areas and provinces, including Isabela, were affected.

“Ompong” left the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday night, but not before leaving a trail of destruction and death.

In terms of Isabela’s agriculture sector, Dy said at least 61,000 hectares of cornfields have been damaged.  He added that engineers from the provincial offices are still trying to figure the estimated amount of damage to infrastructure.

“Mahigit 61,000 hectares ang affected area ng Ompong, na nagkakahalaga ng P1.6 billion.  Sa palay naman po, naapektuhan din po about 60,000 hectares, nagkahahalaga ng P1.9 billion,” he explained.

“Wala pang dumating na report subalit dalawang araw nang nag-a-assess ‘yong ating engineering pati ang ating (provincial) Public Works and Highways,” he said.  /muf