State of calamity in 3 regions mulled

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte may place Bicol, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) under a state of calamity due to the impact of Super Typhoon Rolly, Malacañang said yesterday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) approved a recommendation to declare a state of calamity in order to fast-track recovery efforts in typhoon-ravaged areas.

“Most likely, but let us wait for the document that will come from the Office of the President,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

Rolly devastated several provinces in Luzon, killed 22 people and destroyed at least P14 billion worth of property and agricultural products.

The amounts of damage to infrastructure in Bicol and Mimaropa were estimated at P9.8 billion and P1.billion, respectively, the NDRRMC said.

The typhoon destroyed more than 56,000 houses and affected 1.2 million people in seven regions.

Power restored

Power has been restored in over 60 percent of households affected by Rolly in areas serviced by electric cooperatives, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported yesterday.

Data from the NEA disaster risk reduction and management department showed that as of 6 a.m. yesterday, about 62.68 percent or 1.31 million of the 2.09 million affected households have access to electricity.

“Efforts to restore power to the remaining 780,597 households continue with the help of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment Task Force Kapatid deployed in areas hit hard by the typhoon,” the NEA said.

It said power supply in Masbate, including Ticao Island, has normalized.

In Camarines Norte, the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. has fully restored power in Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Santa Elena, San Vicente, Talisay and Vinzons.

The First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. said it has yet to restore power in its service areas.

The Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative Inc. said it has partially restored power in Naga City and in Milaor, Minalabac and Pili.

Rolly left P369.8-million damage to power distribution facilities of electric cooperatives, the NEA said.