By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) had inflicted an initial P31.4 million worth damage to infrastructure assets in Masbate province based on preliminary assessment reports.
In a social media post on Monday, Masbate Governor Richard Kho reported that 2,437 houses were destroyed and 9,006 were partially damaged. “We also have 44,536 families or 157,849 individuals affected by Opong,” he said, adding their province needs various assistance to cater to the needs of the people severely affected.
“What our municipalities need, is water, generators in each municipality, food and non-food items, various sources of connectivity in our province, restoration of electricity, communication lines, and road clearing for provincial, municipal, and barangay roads,” he said in Filipino.
He share that with various interventions from the national and other local government units, some needs are now being addressed.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol has also recorded 9,966 families or 40,873 individuals who are still staying in different evacuation centers or with their relatives, seven flooding incidents and one soil erosion, while 19 LGUs have power interruptions.
The OCD also recorded nine casualties and 15 injured that are still being validated. A total of P48 million worth of food and non-food items were provided to the different provinces in Bicol by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, OCD and other local government units. (PNA)