MINDORO ISLAND – Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, in his concurrent capacity as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), today went around the island to assess the damage wreaked by Typhoon Tisoy, which barreled through the Southern Tagalog region yesterday (3 December).
“We commiserate with all our kababayans affected by Tisoy, and are extremely saddened that damage to life and property had to come upon us so close to the holiday season. Nevertheless, the government is working to restore access to all interrupted services, including energy, and is ready to extend the necessary assistance to help our people get back on their feet,” Secretary Cusi stated.
Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano and Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito A. Dolor, together with other local government officials and representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Army briefed Secretary Cusi on the current situation on the ground. During these meetings, Secretary Cusi requested for reports on the immediate needs of the people to facilitate the involvement of all appropriate agencies.
An aerial inspection of the island followed, wherein Secretary Cusi assured both governors of his active participation in rebuilding efforts.
As of 4:00 AM, a total of 33,581 individuals or 8,358 families have sought shelter in the 408 evacuation centers across the region (Marinduque: 1,529 families, 6,096 individuals, 79 evacuation centers; Romblon: 2,266 families, 8,401 individuals, 135 evacuation centers; Oriental Mindoro: 3,741 families, 14,928 persons, 149 evacuation centers; Occidental Mindoro: 683 families, 3,554 individuals, 38 evacuation centers; and Palawan: 139 families, 3,554 individuals, 7 evacuation centers).
Being an agricultural area, 1,528 farmers and a total of 2,639.90 hectares of farm land have been affected, with a total estimated value of PhP 156,524,438.50.
Seven casualties have been reported so far (five from Oriental Mindoro and two from Marinduque), while 15 persons have been reported injured (12 from Oriental Mindoro, two from Marinduque, and one from Romblon). There have been no reports of missing persons yet.
Meanwhile, ten homes were totally damaged by the typhoon, while 42 were partially damaged. The River Control in Sitio Agtigbao, Brgy. Concepcion Sur in Sta. Maria, Romblon was also partially damaged.
Initial assistance in the amount of PhP 198,765 has been provided to the victims, with PhP 150,000 coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and PhP 48,765 from the Local Government Units.
“We will remain in close coordination with all our partner agencies from the public and private sectors in the conduct of our community restoration and rehabilitation activities,” Secretary Cusi concluded.
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