6 Caraga towns still have no power, potable water

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Two weeks after typhoon “Pablo” unleashed its fury, six municipalities in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, both under the Caraga region, are still reeling from the devastation.

Citing reports, the regional civil defense office said the six towns still have no electricity and potable water and communication lines have yet to be restored.

As of yesterday, blackouts were still being experienced in the towns of Bunawan, Sta. Josefa, Veruela, Loreto and Trento in Agusan del Sur, and in Lingig town in Surigao del Sur where only the streetlights were restored.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, according to spokesperson Cynthia Perez-Alabanza, is still continuing its rehabilitation of facilities damaged by Pablo.

 In Bunawan town, known as the “hometown” of Lolong, the world’s largest crocodile, 10 barangays were affected with 7,994 families or 36,205 residents displaced by the super typhoon. 

In Sta. Josefa town, 2,628 families or 13,496 villagers are still staying in evacuation centers.

The municipal government’s radio transceiver antenna was toppled, civil defense officials said.

In Veruela town, 20 barangays were affected with 7,886 families or 39,430 residents forced to evacuate. A broadband tower was also damaged.

In Trento town at the Compostela-Agusan boundary, Pablo pummeled 16 villages, dislocating 2,561 families or 13,639 residents.

In the six municipalities alone, at least 16 people were reported killed and 25 others injured, according to a report of the civil defense office.