MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Kiko (internationally known as Chanthu) has left a “trail of destruction” in the entire province of Batanes, Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
Many uprooted trees were obstructing roads, and power and communication lines were down except in Itbayat, which had an internet connection, though weak, according to Gato.
“It also left hundreds, if not thousands of houses in different stages of damage,” he added.
There were no reports of injuries or deaths due to the typhoon, according to Gato.
“My heart goes out to the families who have lost their homes, the fruits of their labor and to those who have lost their means of livelihood,” he said. “But in spite of that, I am grateful to God for sparing the lives of all Kaydians and keeping all of them safe during the onslaught of Typhoon Kiko.”
Gato said he was coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other agencies to get immediate assistance for the province.
Harold Cabreros, director of the Office of Civil Defense in Cagayan Valley, arranged to have a C-130 Air Force plane dispatched. It was scheduled to fly to Batanes on Tuesday to bring 5,000 food packs, according to Gato.
As of posting, Batanes is still under Signal No. 2, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Typhoon Kiko is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday afternoon or evening.