North Luzon Monitor

North Luzon

Benguet now under state of calamity

Following the loss of countless lives and properties in the province of Benguet, members of the provincial board in a special session declared the state of calamity due to the damages brought upon by Super Typhoon Egay.

During a special session August 2, members of the board approved resolution no. 2023-68 based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) after ‘Egay’ caused widespread devastation and severe adverse impact on the community, infrastructure and economy of the province caused by severe landslides, flooding, and destruction of properties.

PDRRMC also reported critical incidents such as damaged homes, casualties, and evacuees were reported in 103 of the province’s 140 barangays while damage to crops, livestock, and agricultural facilities were reported in all of Benguet’s municipalities.

The Engineering Office of Benguet also said 24 of the 57 provincial roads suffered from significant damage due to landslides.

The National Irrigation Authority also reported P35 million worth of irrigation facilities were destroyed while Benguet Electric Cooperative said it incurred more than P8 million in damages to facilities.

Beneco added they are still currently restoring power in the different municipalities of Benguet particularly in Kibungan and Bakun.
With the provincial board declaring Benguet under a state calamity, Benguet Vice – Governor Ericson Felipe said they can fast track rehabilitating damaged roads and bring relief to the people.

“I don’t have the figures but damages are substantial especially in the northern portion of the province which suffered the most,” said Felipe of the unrelenting rains that caused swelling of rivers and bodies of waters.

Felipe meanwhile said based on their earlier meeting with Governor Melchir Diclas, damages run in the millions requiring fundings not just from the provincial government but also private individuals including contractors who could lend their equipment in the clearing efforts to restore damaged roads.

“All reports will be consolidated in time for our special meeting on Thursday including damages to infrastructures, houses, agriculture and even electricity, while they also await the city treasury’s report on how much they could draw from the calamity fund.

Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap meanwhile earlier sought the national government for quick assistance for the province.

Yap added the province direly needs the national government’s help as many of the residents in the affected-areas are still reeling from past calamities, like the Northwestern Luzon earthquake last July 2022.

“We call our National Government for assistance, the Benguet Province is in dire need of help. In fact, marami pa rin sa ating kakailyan ang hindi nakakabangon mula sa mga nagdaang unos, dagdag na naman ito. We need forces for intensified operations for disaster rescue and relief,” Yap said. NLMonitor

Scroll to Top