Ilocos under state of calamity

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Video courtesy of Ariel Paolo Tejada

MANILA, Philippines— The province of Ilocos Norte was placed under the state of calamity on Saturday afternoon after heavy rains and strong winds brought by Tropical Storm “Mario” (international name: Fung-Wong) destroyed more than P21 million worth of goods, agricultural and fishery products including livestock and properties.

Jun Arvin Gudoy, head of the Communications and Media Office of the provincial government, said the damage was mostly in the agricultural sector, particularly in rice production amounting to P19.95 million.

The damage to fisheries was at P434,000 while P89,000 in livestock and P1.5 million in infrastructure.

On Saturday morning, heavy rains and strong winds battered the entire province due to the tropical storm and torrential monsoon rains.

Gudoy, however, said no casualty has been reported as of 11 a.m. but several residents have been evacuated.

Residents at Barangay (village) Catagtaguen in Banna town were evacuated due to flooding while the municipal amphitheater at Barangay (village) Caribquib in the same town was totally damaged.

In Batac City, some residents were also evacuated due to flooding.

Partially damaged houses were reported in the towns of Banna, Solsona and Pagudpud while the Pinili Amphitheater was partially damaged.

Power supply was also cut in several towns of the province while landslides and road closures were also reported.

According to the latest bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Ilocos Norte remains under public storm Signal No. 2.

“Mario” was spotted at 143 kilometers north-northwest of Laoag City with maximum winds of 105kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

It was forecast to move north-northeast at 15 kilometers per hour was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday evening.

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