LUNA, Apayao – The devastation brought by Super Typhoon Egay to the province caused the destruction of 152 houses – 8 totally damaged and 143 partially damaged, according to the July 28, 2023 consolidated report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
Many of these houses, according to social welfare officer Jane Tarmad, were beaten up by strong winds, whacked by fallen trees or buried, if not taken by landslides, while some others swamped by raging flood waters.
A huge landslide in Butao, Calanasan which happened on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, sweeping about three houses burying 6 individuals, including an 8-yr.-old child and a 78 yr.-old man.
The victims have initially been assisted with family food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, family kits, and other food items worth about P1,241,874.52.
The municipality of Calanasan suffered the most, with 103 damaged houses. Pudtol has been fortunate to be the only town in the province with no reports of damages on houses due to the typhoon.
Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. assured support to the people of Apayao. Just in the morning of July 28, 2023, another meeting has been held with the governor’s new instructions for the consolidated assessment of damages of the Super Typhoon to the province as well as the total number of affected families and individuals and the immediate needs of those who are served and yet to be served.
“Importante nga napaspas ti response tayo. With the help of everybody and the LCEs of all the municipalities and their officials, our response is more effective and efficient. We have instructed our frontline services and disaster response teams to maintain their lines open, coordinate with concerned persons, and immediately answer distress calls,” the Governor said.