Catanduanes declares state of calamity over Ruby

MANILA, Philippines – Catanduanes province declared a state of calamity as Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) hits the Bicol Region.

The state-run Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Region 5 said that the provincial council declared a state of calamity on Sunday, December 7. The declaration helps local government units release emergency funds in times of disaster.

As of 4 pm of Sunday, Catanduanes is under storm signal number 1, where the typhoon is packing winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour.

The PIA said that power is out in the province, and there is no supply of water in some towns.

“Around 17,000 persons living near the riverbanks and coastal areas are still in the evacuation centers. Local disaster coordinating councils assist them with food and other basic needs,” PIA said.

Besides Catanduanes, other provinces in the region also declared a state of calamity: Albay, Camarines Sur, and Masbate. Hagupit made its second landfall in Masbate Sunday morning.

The Office of Civil Defense of Region 5 made a list of the status of roads and power in the Bicol Region:

IMPASSABLE ROADS

Albay

Camalig Town (KM514+ 750-515+000)

Ilawod, Camalig

Status: one lane passable

Cause: 5 electric posts down

 

Catanduanes

Bato Town (CCR-K0008+800)

Belongnong Detour Bridge Brgy Sibacungan

Status: hardly passable for light vehicles

Cause: Flooded

 

Viga Town (K0039+700)

Kanlanka Spillway

Status: Hardly passable 

Cause: Flooded

 

Panganiban Town (JCT)

Panganiban-Sabloyon Road

Status: Hardly passable

Cause: With landslides at intermittent sections

 

Bagamanoc Town (K0069+400~K0070+400)

Status: Hardly passable

Cause: Flooded

 

Caramoran

Bocon Spillway

Status: Hardly passable

Cause: Flooded

 

STATUS OF POWER:

Camarines Sur (Selected areas) – No Power

Camarines Norte (Selected areas) – No Power

Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Catanduanes – No Power province-wide

Naga City (selected areas) – No power – Rappler.com