WATCH: No relief, electricity yet in isolated Peñablanca town

CAGAYAN, Philippines – Thirteen barangays in Peñablanca town, Cagayan remain isolated, rendering Typhoon Lawin victims here helpless as they wait for relief goods.

Food, housing, and solar panels are now among the immediate needs of the typhoon victims.

Mara Cepeda reports. – Rappler.com

Jaydee Danao lived in Barangay Cabasan, Peñablanca town in Cagayan for more than a decade, but she never expected to see her house destroyed by a typhoon.

JAYDEE DANAO, TYPHOON VICTIM: We have been living here for 11 years, but this is the first time for us to experience a typhoon this strong. The past typhoons did not touch our house.

Her family fled to a neighbor’s house at the height of Typhoon Lawin.

When they returned, their house was completely destroyed.

JAYDEE DANAO, TYPHOON VICTIM: It was blown away. The roof went far, so we look helpless here. We were not able to save any of our things. They’re all wet.

The family is now building a temporary shelter as they await for help to come.

Cabasan is among the 13 barangays that remain isolated in Peñablanca.

Behind me is the Kabbo-Cabasan river in Peñablanca, one of the worst hit municipalities in Cagayan.

Typhoon Lawin destroyed the bridge connecting the two areas so members of the Search and Rescue Unit Foundation based in Manila and local officials are helping people and their supplies cross the river.

Clearing operations for the isolated areas begin today, October 22.

Vice Mayor Marilyn Taguinod says they have already distributed relief goods to the rest of the town.

But they need more help for the isolated barangays.

MARILYN TAGUINOD, VICE MAYOR, PEÑABLANCA: Our problem here is how to rebuild the houses that were totally destroyed.

She estimates electricity will not return anytime soon.

MARILYN TAGUINOD, VICE MAYOR, PEÑABLANCA: If we can get some of the solar lamps like the ones they distributed during Typhoon Yolanda, that would be a big help to our people.

As the municipal government continues its clearing operations, families like the Danaos are forced to wait until help arrives.

Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Cagayan.