The Ilocos Norte government is calling for volunteers to pack relief goods for thousands of families affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Egay.

Gervy James Gumarit, head of the communication and media office of the provincial government, said in an interview Monday that interested individuals may schedule their participation through the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Area in this city.

“Please avoid walk-ins and contact them at 0917 169 9039 for coordination and inquiries,” he said as he thanked everyone for extending help in times of need.

As of this posting, personnel of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office are leading the packing of relief aid at the Centennial Arena.

On Monday, a total of 18,330 food packs were already given in the 21 towns and two cities of the province while 7,700 additional food packs are ready for pickup.

Over 1,286 cases of bottled water were also distributed in isolated areas with no access to potable water.

Egay left extensive damage in Ilocos Norte, the hardest hit among provinces in Ilocos Region with four casualties due to drowning, over 70,000 people affected and 2,449 houses destroyed, 210 of which were totally wrecked.

While the Ilocos Norte Water District and Prime Water — which have a total of 28,222 active connections — have almost restored their water supply, around 250 out of the 559 barangays in the province have no power supply yet as of Monday.

Partial estimated damage to homes, infrastructures and agricultural lands and crops has so far reached PHP3.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the families of the four casualties are set to receive financial assistance from the Office of Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Monday afternoon.

“I assure you that bilang gobernador po ninyo gagawin po namin lahat ng kaya namin para sa inyo (as your governor, we will do for you all that we can possibly do),” Manotoc said as he led the distribution of food packs in various parts of the province particularly in isolated and remote areas with no power and water supply yet. (PNA)