DOT says Paeng wrecked many beach cottages

FILE PHOTO: In this photo taken on Sunday, October 30, 2022, Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) leaves in disarray the coastline of Tayabas Bay in Sariaya, Quezon, a nesting site of “pawikan” (sea turtles), and destroys around 600 turtle eggs due to be hatched in December. —PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SHERWIN ROSALES

MANILA, Philippines — The wrath of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) has left several cottages near beach areas damaged, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Citing initial reports, the agency said Paeng – the 16th tropical cyclone that hit the Philippines this 2022 – affected beach the most.

Basiao Beach in Ivisan, Capiz, and Laylay Port suffered “severe damage” to cottages as Paeng dumped heavy rains the weekend before the national observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the DOT noted.

READ: Tragic Paeng combination: Nonstop rains, deforestation

Also, it added, the Battle of Paye Historic Shrine in Boac, Marinduque, likewise suffered severe damage.

As of November 2, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll due to Paeng reached 121 as the cost of damage to nearly 11,300 properties or houses was estimated at P12.761 million.

The DOT further reported that stranded tourists at Puerto Galera and Marinduque ports could return home on Wednesday. Ports were forced to cancel sea trips due to Paeng.

“All tourists previously stranded due to Tropical Storm Paeng were able to travel home,” it said in a Viber message to reporters. — Trisha Manalaysay, trainee

RELATED STORY

Agricultural damage piling up as storm exits PAR

KGA/abc