State of calamity declared in typhoon-hit Catanduanes

Catanduanes has been placed under state of calamity due to the effects of Super Typhoon Rolly on the province, according to Ian Cruz's report on Unang Balita on Thursday.

Rolly, the strongest cyclone to hit the country this year, pounded Luzon last Sunday, with Bicol as the hardest hit region.

In the island province of Catanduanes alone, 20,000 houses were destroyed while damage to agriculture was pegged at P1.3 billion so far.

Cellphone signal has yet to normalize in Catanduanes especially in far-flung areas, and people have to line up for supply of clean water.

The report also said only one bank is operating in Catanduanes so far.

At Eastern Bicol Medical Center, supply of some medicines has become limited.

"Nagkukulang na ho ng gamot sa tetano, anti-tetanus, may mga nakagat ng mga aso, anti-rabies po ang kailangan, at yung ibang pangunahing emergency med," said Dr. Vietrez Abella, EBMC chief of hospital.

Under state of calamity, the local government will have access to calamity funds that can be used in rehabilitation and relief efforts. —KBK, GMA News