‘Julian’ torments over 22k families in upper Luzon

Some 77,249 individuals in upper Luzon were affected by Typhoon Julian, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.

In its latest situation report, the agency disclosed that a total of 22,645 families residing in 252 barangays in Regions 1, 2 and  Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) bore the storm’s brunt.

Region 1 took the hardest hit with 44,521 individuals affected, or equivalent to 13,105 families.

The NDRRMC noted that the heavy rains submerged communities and caused landslides in several parts of Luzon as it made its way out of the country.

However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that while “Julian” exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday, it can circle back and re-enter the country on Wednesday.

The storm was packing 195 kph winds near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph, as it was observed moving slowly westward away from PAR.

Typhoon Julian was forecast to recurve towards the sea southwest of Taiwan between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the weather bureau added.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte declared a state of calamity over the province in response to the devastating impact of the super typhoon which is  internationally known as “Krathon.”

As of late Tuesday morning, Signal No. 2 was still hoisted over the municipalities of Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Vintar, Adams, Pasuquin, and Bacarra , while Signal No. 1 remained over the rest of the province.

Furthermore, the entire province was still under PAGASA’s “Orange” rainfall warning.

Due to the torrential rainfall, wide-scale flooding, destroyed bridges and roads, and power and communication interruptions have been reported throughout the province,” the provincial government said in a statement.

As of today [Tuesday], damages to crops are estimated at more than P85,000,000.00, losses in livestock and poultry are valued at P385,000.00, and assessments of infrastructure damages are ongoing,” it added.

It was further explained that the declaration of the state of calamity enables the provincial government to mobilize resources swiftly and efficiently to assist affected residents through the utilization of its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

As this developed, House Speaker Martin Romualdez spearheaded the relief efforts in typhoon-hit areas, bringing P25 million worth of relief goods and facilitating the request for the immediate release of over P100 million in cash aid to affected families.

The Office of the Speaker conducted relief operation efforts in partnership with Tingog Partylist and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and upon instruction of President Marcos.

Romualdez and Tingog, led by Reps. Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre said they have identified the 10 congressional districts that were hardest-hit by the recent typhoon and requested Social Welfare Sec. Rex Gatchalian to release P10 million for each district under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“We are ensuring that each affected district receives the support it needs to recover from this calamity. Hindi pababayaan ng administrasyon ni PBBM ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyong Julian,” Romualdez said.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Super Typhoon ‘Julian’ leaves Ilocos Norte under ‘State of Calamity’.”