Quirino, southern Isabela still without power

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The entire province of Quirino and several towns in southern Isabela remained without power yesterday, days after super typhoon "Paeng" battered Cagayan Valley and Northern Luzon.

According to officials of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) and the Isabela provincial government, it would take almost a week before power is fully restored in Quirino and the Isabela towns of San Agustin, Cordon, Ramon, and San Mateo.

Chief Superintendent Jefferson Soriano, Cagayan Valley police director and RDCC chairman, said roads leading to Kasibu town and Barangay Runruno in Quezon town were still impassable to any type of vehicles.

Meanwhile, there was still no word on 22 people reported missing in Nueva Vizcaya at the height of typhoon "Paeng," with rescue and relief operations yielding nothing.

Soriano said "Paeng" left almost P500 million in damage in Cagayan Valley, with Isabela alone incurring nearly P100 million in agricultural losses. — Charlie Lagasca