A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) augmentation team from Ilocos Norte is now in Cagayan to help in the search and rescue operations for trapped families in various flooded residential areas after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
Cagayan province was placed under a state of calamity on Saturday as floodwater level remains high due to “Ulysses”.
In a radio interview, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said the province prepared for the typhoon but not for the massive flooding, which reached the rooftop of residential areas.
The governor acknowledged that the major problem in Cagayan is the denudation of forests and the heavy siltation of river beds.
In a statement, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the widespread flooding in Cagayan is not due to the release of water from Magat Dam but because of the swelling of the Cagayan River over the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, some youth leaders and volunteers in the province are leading a donation drive for Cagayan residents who are hard-hit by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.
On the social media pages of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, the organizers are calling for generous individuals to share a helping hand in this time of crisis.
In the public announcement posted on Saturday, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office opened its office on weekends as a drop-off point for donations and the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office at the Centennial Arena on weekdays.
The offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Since Friday, the group has started accepting good, clean, and functional items such as easy to open canned goods, clean drinking water, clothes, hygiene essentials, first aid kits, blankets, mats, diapers, and sanitary napkins among others to be given to the typhoon victims.
In Pagudpud town, Hendrick Pedronan, municipal disaster risk reduction, and management officer announced that the Manila North Road in Sitio Bangkero, Pancian is still not accessible to all types of vehicles due to continuous soil erosion in the area. (PNA)
