LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Oct. 30 (PNA)–The Pangasinan provincial government is all set to rehabilitate damaged public infrastructures and crops wrought by Typhoon “Lando” that battered the province from October 18 to 21.
Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. ordered the rehabilitation to be jumpstarted by a thorough assessment on damages by concerned offices and agencies to determine the cost of damages that would be poured in for the projects.
As of October 29, the estimated damages in Pangasinan ballooned to over P3.5 billion, composed of infrastructures, P522,695,000; agriculture, P2,335,325,767; and social welfare-related destruction, P737,410. .
Pangasinan was placed under the state of calamity in an emergency session by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) last October 20 at the PDRRMC conference hall in Lingayen.
With the declaration, all local government units (LGUs) were already empowered to access their own 30 percent calamity fund to be utilized for such purpose which the province can augment as the need arises.
Under the law, the calamity fund (which is five percent of the total LGU budget), now called local disaster risk reduction and management fund, has been divided into two: 70 percent as pre-disaster fund and 30 percent for quick response and post disaster rehabilitation, which will be used when the province is declared under a state of calamity.
In such case, Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro said that funds will be sourced out from the 30 percent calamity fund of the provincial government.
All affected local government units, therefore, can make use of their calamity funds to be utilized for rehabilitation, he said.
Part of the rehab plan, according to Oro, will concentrate on the repair and construction works of damaged provincial and barangay roads, school buildings, barangay halls, including dikes, irrigation systems and drainage canals as well as facilities within the Provincial Capitol complex and the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC).
Funds will also be allocated as financial assistance to individuals (farmers in particular) those who incurred damages in crops to include palay, High-Value Commercial Crops (HVCC), corn, fisheries and livestock.
Of the 44 towns and four cities in Pangasinan, 40 were affected. This involves a total of 491,525 individuals affected by the calamity, the PDRRMO reported.
Latest report stated that the amount of damages for agriculture has amounted to P2,335,325,767. These include damages on the following: Palay-P1,397,782,864; high value commercial crops (HVCC)-P558,765,293; corn- P35,771,890; fisheries- P318,918,350; livestock-P24,087,370.
For the province’s rehab plan on agriculture the following amount will be allocated to assist the farmers and fisherfolks. These are as follows: Palay- P59,513,230; HVCC- P6,947,937; Corn- P7,166,343; Fisheries- P21,747,225; Livestock- P25,480,000.
Much as the provincial government wants to fully rehabilitate all incurred damages, it cannot do so much because the funds will not suffice the extreme cost of damage wrought by the typhoon,said Oro.
As explained by Col. Oro, the provincial government will seek the assistance of the national government to cover other projects that needs to be addressed.
Damage to infrastructure, on the other hand, was estimated at P522,695,000 with the following data: Provincial roads- P161,820,000; Provincial bridges- P24,250,000; barangay roads/bridges/brgy. Hall/complex- P166,050,000; school buildings- P49,975,000; others-P107,050,000; facilities/buildings within Capitol compound- P9,050,000; NRSCC-P4,500,000.
Based on the rehab plan drawn up by Gov. Espino, the provincial government will rehabilitate all damages on infrastructure.
As an assistance, the Province of Pangasinan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) will allocate financial assistance to families of the 13 reported casualties as well as the 17 others who were injured.
Rehab plan of social welfare-related damage include assistance to some 5,350 individuals whose houses were totally damaged while some 48,091 individuals whose houses were partially damaged will likewise receive support.
Report of the PSWDO, stated that at the height of the typhoon, thousands of evacuees were sheltered in 41 evacuation centers located in various affected towns/cities in Pangasinan.
The office facilitated the distribution of 25,300 relief packs to affected families in various cities and towns of the province based on Oct. 28 report.
Aside from the relief packs, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) also conducted medical assistance to some 17 evacuation centers for provision of medical check-ups.
At the same time, a total of 338,965 individuals underwent check-ups, some of whom were given medical attention.
Flood has subsided in all areas affected by the flood on October 27. (PNA)