C’duanes allocates P5.8-M for calamity victims

VIRAC, Catanduanes — The provincial government has approved a P5.8-million calamity fund as initial support for the immediate relief of thousands of families who were rendered homeless due to typhoon "Dindo" which, packing winds of 180 kilometers per hour, battered the island-province last Monday.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the calamity fund during an emergency session last Friday, presided over by Vice Gov. Cesar Sarmiento.

"I would like to thank the (provincial board) for immediately approving the calamity fund," said Gov. Leandro Verceles Jr.

Given priority for the calamity fund are the towns of Pandan, Baras, Gigmoto, Bagamanoc and San Andres, which bore the brunt of typhoon "Dindo."

Meanwhile, the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative has brought back electricity to the capital town of Virac, while Smart Communications has restored its cellular communications in the province.

The Provincial Disaster Management Office identified the four typhoon casualties as Angel Calderon and Margarita Eustaquio, both of Pandan town, Domingo Salvador of San Andres and Rodolfo Frias of Bagamanoc. Rescuers recovered their bodies at sea.

A total of 23 people were injured, 13 of them from Virac.

Reports said some 110 houses were totally destroyed in Bagamanoc, while only 30 percent of the total number of houses in Baras town are left standing.

Damage to agriculture in Baras was placed at 100 percent. The town’s public school was destroyed, while the police station sustained damage.

In Bato town, some 2,176 houses were totally destroyed, and damage to agriculture was placed at 30 percent.

Also destroyed were 75 and 60 percent of houses in Pandan and Gigmoto, respectively, and 838 houses in San Miguel and 611 dwellings in Virac.