Nona, Onyok leave P4.9-B damage in 5 regions

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Nona (Melor) and Tropical Depression Onyok left a total of P4.9 billion ($103 million) worth of damage in agriculture and infrastructure, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday, December 22.

During the disaster agency’s response assessment of the twin storms that hit the country in the past week, officials said Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas suffered the most damage. 

Total damage in the regions’ infrastructure was pegged at P2.1 billion ($44 million), while the damage to agriculture was at P2.8 billion ($59 million).

At least 199,854 houses were also damaged by the storms, with 55,466 of them totally destroyed. (READ: IN PHOTOS: Onyok leaves flooding in Southern PH)

Around 20 schools and 38 health facilities nationwide were also damaged.

The death toll from the two storms rose to 45 on Sunday, December 20, as several towns remained under water. President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity as early as Friday, December 18, to hasten relief, recovery, and rehabilitation in affected areas.

Government response

According to the disaster management body, communication had been restored in 8 provinces: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Albay, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, and Quezon.

Thirty-one roads and 9 bridges, however, are still not passable in the battered regions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, civil society groups, and non-governmental organizations have provided P85.8 million ($1.8 million) worth of relief, the NDRRMC said.

The Philippines is battered by an average of 20 typhoons annually, many of them deadly. – Rappler.com

Here’s how you can help: #ReliefPH: Help typhoon victims

*$1 = P47.34