NO CASUALTIES or heavy losses were reported in Eastern Visayas after Typhoon Quinta (Molave) brought heavy to moderate rains in some provinces and cities in the region over the weekend.
Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas, said Monday, October 26, that the Caray-Caray and Catmon detours along the Biliran-Naval Section is already open to all types of vehicles Tuesday, October 27, after it was declared impassable due to continuous heavy rains brought by Quinta.
The Allen-Matnog routes have also resumed their operation.
In Biri, Northern Samar, Lieutenant Mae Ann Erivera led the municipal police in the road clearing operations as an immediate response to the effects of Typhoon Quinta.
Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan earlier ordered forced evacuation in flood- and landslide-prone areas in the province.
Naval and Caibiran towns in Biliran also conducted pre-emptive evacuation in areas that were highly susceptible to landslides and floods prior to Quinta’s landfall.
In Bicol region, the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division mobilized its manpower, equipment, and transportation assets for the ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations after the onslaught of Quinta.
Major General Henry Robinson Jr. of the Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) provided transportation assets for faster delivery of relief goods and services to the affected families while the rest of its manpower were conducting road clearing operations in typhoon-stricken areas.
The military personnel also assisted in the search and rescue operations for the reported 12 missing persons in Catanduanes province.
Air assets were also on standby for the rapid conduct of damage assessment and recoveries.
“As a region frequented by typhoons, there is no room for complacency. We always have to prepare and be on guard. Though Quinta brought damages in agriculture and infrastructure, we are blessed that God spared the lives of the Bicolanos,” said Robinson.
“Tapos na ang bagyo ngunit marami pa sa ating mga kababayan ang nangangailangan ng tulong. Ngayon po natin pairalin ang tinatawag nating bayanihan spirit. Let us be of help to one another,” the Army official added.
Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that over 240,000 families across four affected regions were forced to leave their homes as Quinta brought flash floods and landslides.
Two persons were also reported dead and 13 others were missing.
As Quinta left the country on Tuesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Eastern Visayas or Bicol region will experience heavy rain again as another tropical depression over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday afternoon. (SunStar Philippines)