Five die in Kalinga after being buried alive due to Typhoon Lawin

Five family members died after they were buried alive in Kalinga, a report on Unang Balita on Monday said.

The victims were in their house in Lubuagan when a landslide buried their house, GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported.

"May isang bahay dun na natabunan. Limang member ng pamilya namatay," Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac said.

Baac said one person also died in Pasil due to landslide.

According to Kalinga Vice Gov. James Edduba, the most affected parts of the province are Lubuagan, Pasil, Balbalan, and Pinokpok.

"Ito pa 'yung mga inaccessible na munisipyo natin ngayon," Edduba said.

The province of Kalinga was placed under a state of calamity due to the damage caused by Typhoon Lawin.

Many houses and buildings were damaged. Trees were uprooted and landslides were reported in several areas.

Some roads are still blocked, isolating some municipalities.

A hanging bridge was destroyed while Chico River overflowed.

Residents have been busy trying to fix their homes.

Luzviminda Latawan, a resident, said Typhoon Lawin was the strongest she felt in her life.

Many residents have patiently been lining up at automated teller machines to get cash for their needs.

Apayao

Meanwhile, in Apayao, many trees fell and houses, buildings, and greenhouses were damaged.

Damage

Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said damage due to Typhoon Lawin is estimated to run up to P10 billion.

"For the whole of the regions affected by both Karen and Lawin, the estimate is P10 billion in damage. For Cagayan Valley region alone, estimate is P7 billion," Piñol said.

He added that their priority is assisting the affected residents.

"We are responding. The first step that we will do is immediate action to ensure that the farmers and fishermen affected by the typhoons will have something to eat," Piñol said.

He said he will recommend that dredging and desilting be done at Cagayan River and Chico River, and that authorities strictly monitor deforestation. —KG, GMA News