Monday, June 23, 2008 Typhoon Frank leaves 70 dead, P500M in damages By Ruby P. Silubrico
AROUND P500 million worth of infrastructure were destroyed in 432 barangays in Iloilo province, and 66 persons died while more than 65 were missing when the typhoon hit Western Visayas Saturday last week.
The extreme damages prompted Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. to put the province under a state of calamity.
Based on the records of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) Chairman Bionat said more than 18 families were affected, while 3,000 houses were destroyed and more than 2,000 were damaged in the 432 barangays in the province.
Records further showed that of the 66 casualties, 20 are from the town of Janiuay and the rest are from the town of Pavia.
In a radio interview, Janiuay Mayor Bienvenido Margarico was crying when he reported that at least 20 persons died in his town, adding that he even witnessed how the flood carried out a number of families along the Suague River, which swallowed them up in just a matter of seconds.
"It's really painful to witness somebody was asking for help from you and you not being able to do anything to save them. It's painful that you witnessed how the flood kills helpless persons," Margarico said while weeping.
"It's the first time for such incident to happen in our town," he added.
Margarico said the Janiuay District Hospital was also submerged in water and some patients reportedly had to be placed on improvised beds to keep them from getting wet.
Margarico added the doctors and nurses were not able to save some of the equipment and machines since the flow of water was sudden.
Also, at least 10 bridges in the province were damaged leaving some persons stranded.
The said bridges are Tigum Bridge in Tabucan Cabatuan, Maribong and Misi in Lambunao, Emelda Bridge in Maasin, Presidential bridge in Alimodian, Gines Bridge in Alimodian, Binanwanan in Tubungan, Camanggahan in Guimbal, Buyo in Sta. Barbara, and Parara in Tigbauan.
Bridges that are not passable are Tigum, Emelda, Binanwanan and Gines.
Crops in the province also perished when rains flooded and destroyed rice fields.
Vice President Noli Decastro, together with Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas, checked the situation in Iloilo Sunday. They helped distribute food assistance and other relief goods.
Decastro and Roxas dropped by the towns of Janiuay, Sta. Barbara, Pavia, and other highly affected areas in the province to extend their support and condole with victims of the typhoon.
