TAGUIG CITY - As part of rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of the storm surge that hit Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, last Thursday (7 November), Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, in his concurrent capacity as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), secured 15 bancas from the Rotary Club Makati Central.  

“We have been closely coordinating with local government officials, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Paluan, and the Philippine National Police for real time updates, and to determine the immediate needs of our kababayans. We will be sending the bancas to Occidental Mindoro, and we are hoping that additional assistance will follow,” Secretary Cusi said.  

According to the report of the Philippine National Police-Occidental Mindoro, the storm surge caused by Tropical Storm Quiel hit the coastal areas of Barangays (Brgy.) 1, Marikit, Tubili, and all of Paluan at about 7:00 PM of 7 November 2019. 

Based on the ocular inspection conducted by Paluan’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in terms of property, 32 houses made of light materials and 58 small motorized bancas were partially damaged, while 3 small motorized bancas were submerged. 

Meanwhile, a total of 620 individuals were evacuated (Brgy. 1 - 14 families composed of 52 individuals, Brgy. 1 – 50 families composed of 388 individuals; Brgy. Tubili – 35 families composed of 158 individuals, and Brgy. Harrison – 4 families composed of 22 individuals). No casualties have been reported. 

The Energy Chief is among 17 Cabinet Members who are CORDS. Primarily tasked to end local communist armed conflict, CORDs are further mandated to help President Rodrigo R. Duterte ensure the speedy, efficient, and orderly resolution of problems encountered in their respective regional assignments. 

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