‘Tisoy’ leaves P2.6-B damage in Sorsogon

LEGAZPI CITY –– Typhoon “Tisoy” (international name: Kammuri) left P2.6 million worth of damage to Sorsogon province, Governor Francis Escudero said Thursday.

“(Losses) have reached an initial amount of P2.6 billion, which cover both the infrastructure and the houses of residents,” Escudero said during an interview in Legazpi City, where he was waiting for President Durerte to arrive.

He said the figure would rise because the damage to schools was not yet included.

Escudero also confirmed two deaths, one in Bulan town and another in Matnog, caused by the typhoon. Around 60,000 families were affected, he added.

Department of Agriculture spokesperson Emily Bordado said an initial report showed that 11,000 hectares of rice valued at P185 million were damaged in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon provinces.

Around 2,748 hectares of cornfields were also damaged, with an initial estimate of P40 million, while an initial P28 million worth of vegetables planted in 381 hectares were lost.

In Daraga town in Albay, drinking water has been scarce.

Meanwhile, personnel of Albay Energy Power Corporation started the clearing and repair of toppled electric posts along the national highway in Camalig town as the entire province remained without power.

“It is very hard to speed up the restoration of power because hundreds of primary lines were damaged but we will do our best,” Paquito Lorica, APEC lineman, said.

Edited by LZB