Florita infrastructure damage hits P33.7 million

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to infrastructure due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita has reached P33.7 million.

Twenty-four roads and bridges in Ilocos and seven other structures in Cagayan Valley were affected, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported yesterday.

The NDRRMC said 33 houses were damaged in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Up to 17,510 families or 71,468 people were affected by heavy rain and flashfloods.

A total of 1,031 people from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras were preemptively evacuated.

The death toll remains at three while three others were injured.

Of the 15 ports in Calabarzon and Bicol that suspended trips at the height of the storm, 10 had resumed operations.

Thirty-two roads and 11 bridges are now passable, but three national roads in Northern Luzon remained closed to motorists yesterday.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Kennon Road is among those closed for safety reasons.

“Motorists bound for Baguio City may take Marcos Highway, Baguio-Bauang Road or Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road as alternate routes,” Bonoan said.

He said road-clearing operations are ongoing along the Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road in Barangay Namaltugan in Apayao due to road cut and soil collapse.

The Cabagan-Sta. Maria overflow bridge in Isabela is closed to all types of vehicles.

“In the meantime, motorists were advised to take the Daang Maharlika-Cagayan Valley Road as an alternative road,” Bonoan said.