Region 1 Records Zero Death Casualty Despite ‘Lawin’

San Fernando City –  Ilocos region has attained zero death casualty during the onslaught of super typhoon Lawin, the Region 1 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

As of 8 a.m Wednesday, the RDRRMC1 recorded one death casualty in Barangay Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, but this was validated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) not related to the effect of Lawin.

Director Melchito M. Castro, the regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and RDRRMC1 chairperson, cited the preparedness measures of the governors as the key to achieving zero casualty despite the fury of the super typhoon.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga governor na maagap ang kanilang preparedness activities at naiwasan natin yung mga casualty… Alam naman natin na itong typhoon ‘Lawin’ ay super typhoon, kaya talagang puspusan ang paghahandang ginawa ng ating mga local government unit sa pamumuno ng ating mga governor,” Castro said.

At the height of the attack of Lawin on Thursday, tropical cyclone storm signal number 5 was hoisted in Ilocos Norte; storm signal number 4 in Ilocos Sur; signal number 3 in La Union; and signal numbre 2 in Pangasinan.

Due to the devastating effects of the Lawin in Northern Luzon, local officials have placed provinces of Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Ilocos Sur under a state of calamity for the release of the local calamity fund for the immediate restoration activities to the damages specifically in the sectors of agriculture and fishery.

As of 5:30 p.m. on October 24,  the RDRRMC1 reported that 103 cities/municipalities with 1,040 barangays from the four provinces of Region 1 with a total of 63,758 families or 283,420 individuals were affected by super typhoon Lawin.

At least 1,036 houses were reported totally damaged while 12,423 houses were reported partially damaged in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union due to strong gustiness of winds and heavy rains brought by the typhoon.

As of 8 p.m. on October 25,  the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union have incurred initial losses to the agriculture sector estimated at P903, 474,163 . The destroyed crops in the three provinces were rice, corn and high-value crops.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 1 has already extended a total of P19, 545, 390 worth of assistance to the affected population in the provinces Ilocos region. (JNPD/FGL/PIA)