By Joseph B.A. Marzan
An estimated 1.27 million people from 339,304 families in 1,228 barangays in Western Visayas were affected by Tropical Storm Agaton (International name: Megi), according to the latest report by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-6.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022, Agaton displaced 69,024 families composed of 246,143 persons.
The number includes 17,023 families (61,104 persons) sheltered in 605 evacuation centers across the region, while 52,001 families (185,039) persons sought shelter outside evacuation centers.
The affected persons are in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo province, and Negros Occidental.
A total of 10,018 houses were also affected, including 9,403 that were partially damaged (74 in Aklan, 180 in Antique, 98 in Capiz, 9,049 in Iloilo province, and 2 in Negros Occidental), and 615 destroyed houses (2 in Aklan, 3 in Antique, 51 in Capiz, 555 in Iloilo province, and 4 in Negros Occidental).
Eleven persons were confirmed to have died – 6 in Capiz and 5 in Iloilo province.
The RDRRMC report also indicated that 168 areas were still flooded – 123 in Capiz and 23 in Iloilo province – while floods in 219 areas have already subsided – 9 in Aklan, 172 in Capiz, 34 in Iloilo province, and 4 in Antique.
The council also recorded 57 rain-induced landslides – 1 in Aklan, 8 in Capiz, 18 in Iloilo, 7 in Negros Occidental, and 23 in Antique.
Other storm-related incidences include 5 uprooted trees (1 in Guimaras and 4 in Antique), 1 drowning in Capiz, and 1 rockslide in Negros Occidental.
Agricultural damage is now estimated to be at around P142.8 million, with Capiz suffering the most (P81.8 million), followed by Iloilo province (P53.5 million), Antique (P7.27 million), and Guimaras (P183,105).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 6 (DSWD-6) has released around P30.5 million in assistance to the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
The assistance include 35,827 family food packs, 3,500 water bottles, 100 combination kits (hygiene, kitchen, family, and sleeping kits), 100 tents, 941 hygiene kits, 100 kitchen kits, 500 sleeping kits, 100 family kits, and 100 modular tents.
The RDRRMC-6’s report was based on reports of local government units across the region, as well as the Region 6 field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
INFRA DAMAGE
The office of Iloilo 4th district Representative Braeden John Biron likewise reported on Saturday that around P323 million worth of infrastructures were damaged by “Agaton.”
Engr. Sonny Boy Oropel, DPWH Iloilo 2nd Engineering District head, suggested to Daily Guardian that the figures may be higher on their part since their office also covers the 3rd congressional district.
Daily Guardian has also reached out to 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor and 5th district Rep. Raul Tupas for information on infrastructural damage in their areas, but they have yet to respond as of this writing.
