Ivatans get relief goods

BASCO, Philippines – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) gave hope to Ivatans yesterday, two days after Batanes was battered by Super Typhoon Odette (international name Usagi).

NDRRMC officials delivered 1,500 family packs of relief goods that were ferried by a C-130 Hercules.

Office of Civil Defense administrator Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario turned over the goods to the provincial social welfare and development office.

Rep. Henedina Abad, who arrived with NDRRMC officials, also brought 4,000 bottles of mineral water.

Another batch of 8,000 family packs of relief goods was sent by businessman Manny Pangilinan on his private plane.

The goods were turned over to Gov. Vicente Gato for distribution to affected residents.

Meanwhile, Police Officer 2 Alan Berado, naval detachment commander of Basco, Batanes, said the fury of Odette was different from that of the other typhoons that have hit the province.

Batanes was isolated last Saturday, with the NDRRMC operations center losing contact with provincial disaster officials.

“People have been resilient to typhoons here, but the rage of Odette was different,” Berado told The STAR.

Odette exited the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday night.

Berado said among the most damaged areas were Basco and Batan.

Superintendent Fernando Cristobal, spokesman for the regional police office based in Tuguegarao City, said they are still consolidating reports on the amount of damage the typhoon has caused.

Berado said Del Rosario made a brief inspection in Batanes yesterday with Cagayan Valley regional director Norma Talosig. – With Raymund Catindig, Teddy Molina