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The worst typhoons in the Philippines

By Raymund Flores (UNOG, staff member)

The recent two typhoons that lashed through the Philippines from 26 September 2009.one after the other...Ondoy (international name Ketsana) and Pepeng (international name Parma) set off the worst flooding in the Philippine capital and other regions in the country, causing vast losses to life, property and infrastructures.

Damages reported, as of 7 October, approximately as follows, as actual worth could not be determined until communication lines are restored. (Source, Sun Star, Local News, October 7, 2009):

Typhoon Ondoy: The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported, on the other hand, that Tropical Storm Ondoy caused a total of P6.354 billion in agricultural damages — P5.076 billion on rice, P64.57 million on corn, and P140.595 on HVCC. Livestock and poultry damages amounted to P41.068 million, while fisheries had a total of P210.827 million. The irrigation sector lost an estimated cost of P817.03 million in facilities, infrastructure and equipment, while the fisheries sector lost P2.73 million and the livestock sector, P1.35 million.

Typhoon Pepeng, caused an estimated P452.84 million of damages in agriculture as of Monday, of which, mostly are in Northern Luzon, were rice crops with P403.18 million in total damages. A total of 35,494 hectares of rice fields were also affected, with 33,800 hectares having a chance of recovery and the remaining 1,694 without any chance at all. Fifty-two hectares of corn tallied P435,182 in losses. Twenty hectares still have a chance of recovery. High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) losses were valued at P49.22 million with 1,225 hectares from 4,702 hectares having a chance to recover.

Damages in facilities, infrastructure, and equipment in irrigation, fisheries and livestock sectors are yet to be determined.

Some P100 million worth of roads and bridges in Northern Luzon were also damaged by Typhoon Pepeng.

A report from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed that two regions — Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) and Cagayan Valley — incurred the most number of infrastructure damages.

With this, the estimated damage of the recent typhoons is at P604.715 million worth of roads and bridges in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CAR, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Mimaropa, and Bicol Region.

Much more could be said of the horror and pain brought about by the recent nature’s rampage.

But more important are the efforts of the government and public sectors to help, in any way they can, to come to the aid of the unfortunate victims, most of whom are still at a loss and grieving for their loved ones.

Foreign aid has been pouring in to the victims, but who can imagine the extent of this help? How much is enough?

We, the Filipino staff members of the United Nations in Geneva, through the UN Staff Coordination Council, are organizing the collection from all UN offices, any financial donations to be sent to the victims in the Philippines. We are pleased to say that other Filipinos at UNHCR, WHO, WIPO, ILO, and other international organizations are likewise doing a similar coordinated effort.

Cost estimates in USD:

Early next year, a food shortage is expected. Please continue to help the Philippines by sending your cash donations to the following bank accounts:

Let us rise up in prayer, let us join hands in giving. This is the time for a blessing.

(photo by keystone)

(photo by R. Flores)

(photo by R. Flores)

// R. Flores, Verona Collantes, Ridha Zargouni (Exec. Secretary UNSCC), H.E. Mrs. Erlinda F. Basilio,
Ian Richards (President UNSCC), Pauline Escalante, Consul Gary Domingo

(photo by R. Flores)

Thank you to all UN colleagues and friends who have given their donations.

Let us rise up in prayer, let us join hands in giving. This is the time for a blessing.