The province of Marinduque which has just recovered from the major devastation wrought by super-typhoon “Reming” that hit the island-province in November 2006, was left reeling after typhoon “Frank” that came with torrential rain last Saturday, June 21st.
397 families consisting of 1,095 individuals living in low-lying areas in Boac, Buenavista and Sta. Cruz were immediately evacuated to schools that served as temporary evacuation centers. There was immediate power outage throughout the island’s six towns. Telephone lines were down and communications were virtually cut-off.
Initial reports reaching the provincial capitol counted 4 injured and 3 dead. The provincial social services and welfare office immediately dispatched relief goods consisting of rice, sardines and noodles to evacuation centers. Hundreds of houses were destroyed especially those situated along the south-western coasts of Torrijos and Buenavista. The Torrijos District Hospital and the Provincial Training Center also reported damages.
The typhoon caused major damage to crops like rice, corn, bananas and coconuts. Hundreds of hectares of farmlands planted to hybrid rice and vegetables were damaged accoding to reports. An initial report from the provincial agriculture’s office placed the damage to crops in the municipalities of Gasan, Torrijos and Sta. Cruz at P 21-million.
The quick inundation of Mogpog river brought near panic to town residents, aware of the probable nightmare that may be caused in the event of a collapse by the Maguilaguila Dam. A similar situation occured in 1993, when a typhoon also hit the province.
“Frank” swept away bancas in Paye (Mogpog), Gasan and Torrijos. Damage to roads are heavy in Tarug (Mogpog) and Lapu-Lapu (Sta. Cruz). Landslides occurred in Saya (Mogpog) and Tugos (Boac). Heavy damage to Sumangga bridge was also reported.
A joint meeting of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Provincial Disaster Coordinatng Council of Marinduque recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in the Province of Marinduque with an initial funding of P 5-million from the provincial funds to be made available for immediate release to aid the affected families. Total damage to crops and properties is expected to reach P 100-million.
Governor Jose Antonio Carrion, together with Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla conducted an aerial inspection of the province yesterday to assess the damages.
Provincial Administrator, Allan Jay Velasco meanwhile, announced the postponement of the Southern Tagalog Tourism Assembly slated in Marinduque from June 25-27. "We have agreed with the STTC to move the date to August in view of the current situation in Marinduque and in the regional provinces affected by typhoon "Frank", he said.
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