15 Brgys in Nueva Vizcaya Still Isolated by Landslides

At least 15 barangays in an upland town here are still isolated due to landslides from rains brought by typhoon ‘Ompong’ over the weekend.

Governor Carlos Padilla said the isolated barangays are in the upland town of Kayapa, neighboring Benguet province.

“Like in the Cordillera region, the 15 barangays of Kayapa is situated in remote upland areas which were likely hammered by strong rains of typhoon ‘Ompong’, these rains triggered landslides on the access roads,” he said.

A family of four was also buried by landslide in the said municipality while the town’s Oyawi Bridge was also damaged by strong waters.

The landslide victims are identified as couple Gilbert, 36 and Rosalyn Aliaga, 29 and their children Reygan, 5 and Rinalyn, 8 – month old.

Padilla said he has ordered the immediate consolidation of damage report from local government units and national agencies concerned to know the extent of typhoon ‘Ompong’s’ damage on agriculture and infrastructure, among others.

“We will evaluate and assess the extent of damages so that we can decide if we can declare our province under a state of calamity,” he added.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said 1,231 families or 4,778 vilalgers have been evacuation before the onslaught of typhoon ‘Ompong’ in the 15 towns of the province.

Crispin Nesperos, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer of Kayapa said clearing operations are going on in landslide-blocked barangays.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in south district placed ‘Ompong’s’ initial damage to flood control structures at P22 million while damages to roads and bridges are placed at P11 million.

DPWH officials said full assessment of damage of typhoon ‘Ompong’ in the province is expected to be completed this week. (MDCT/BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)