State of calamity declared in Oriental Mindoro and areas in Quezon, Romblon

Local authorities have declared a state of calamity in Oriental Mindoro and in some areas in Quezon and Romblon due to the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy.

According to reports on Balitanghali on Thursday, a state of calamity was declared over Oriental Mindoro as well as in San Francisco in Quezon, and in Calatrava, Corcuera, and Banton in Romblon.

According to John Consulta's report, two were reported dead while nine others were injured 

A total of 178 houses were totally damaged while 2,000 others were partially damaged.

The damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the province has been estimated to be P500 million, which can hardly be covered by the provincial government’s 25 million-peso calamity fund.

Residents have appealed for aid from the national government to cover the deficit in their calamity fund.

According to the provincial disaster management office, it may take one week before electricity is restored.

For inner barangays, however, power is expected to be out for an entire month, leaving residents with no choice but to celebrate their holidays in the dark.

According to Joseph Morong's report, meanwhile, residents in parts of northern Samar have resorted to using waterfalls for bathing and doing their laundry while waiting for water and electricity to be restored.

Fishermen and motorists alike are also struggling due to fallen trees that have obstructed pathways and damaged some boats.

In Catanauan, Quezon, 54-year-old Rafael Palma died after a tree fell on top of him.

He was one of the three fatalities reported in the province.

In the town of San Francisco, some plantations, houses, and schools were damaged by Tisoy.

In Calatrava, Romblon, around 80% of homes also sustained damage due to the typhoon.

In Corcuera, almost 2,500 residents were evacuated, while power remains out in Banton.

The Office of Civil Defense pegged the damage to agriculture at over P800 million, while over 6,700 houses were damaged by Tisoy.

State weather bureau PAGASA said the typhoon exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 11 a.m. on Thursday. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News