Isabela execs relieved for Typhoon Lando deaths

ISABELA, Philippines – Four officials of Isabela province have been ordered to step down from their positions due to recorded casualties in the province during the onslaught of Typhoon Lando (Koppu) in October. (READ: Typhoon Lando: 19 areas under state of calamity)

Interior Undersecretary Erwin Enrile wrote a letter to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cagayan Valley Director Marlo Iringan, asking to relieve the following:

• Elpidio Durwin, provincial director of DILG-Isabela
• Lakambini Salvacion Cayaba, operation officer of San Mariano town
• Enrique Laggui, operation officer of Tumauini town
• Vicente Sarangay, operation officer of Cabagan town

Iringan has already enforced Enrile’s order.

Isabela province suffered 3 casualties – all drowned – in the aftermath of the typhoon that caused widespread flooding. (READ: Typhoon Lando: Death toll climbs to 41; 1.2M affected)

One of the casualties drowned while trying to get drift wood from the swollen river. 

Another casualty, Jonathan Cadangyao, drowned while trying to save his carabao being carried away by strong water current.

Lawyer Watu Foronda, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Isabela said they already issued resolutions asking for the cancellation of Durwin’s relief order.

Foronda refused to comment further, but said even the provincial board of Isabela also passed a resolution asking that Durwin be allowed to stay as DILG provincial director.

In typhoons before Lando, Isabela had been lauded for its zero casualty record and for its quick and effective response.

In 2014, its PDRRMC was adjudged by Gawad Kalasag as the most outstanding in the Cagayan Valley region. – Rappler.com