State of calamity declared in 19 areas in Quezon due to Aghon

A total of 19 areas in two districts of Quezon province have declared a state of calamity due to the onslaught of Typhoon Aghon. 

According to Balitang Southern Tagalog’s Denise Abante’s “24 Oras” Tuesday, the following cities and municipalities in the first and second districts of Quezon are: 

First District

• Tayabas City
• Lucban
• Real
• Infanta
• Polilio
• Panukulan
• Sampaloc
• Mauban
• General Nakar
• Burdeos
• Patnanungan
• Jomalig
• Pagbilao

Second District

• Tiaong
• Lucena City
• Sariaya
• Candelaria
• Dolores 
• San Andres

Lucena City has earlier issued a state of calamity as Aghon wreak havoc in the province over the weekend, triggering widespread floods, uprooting trees, and leaving damage to farmlands. 

Data from the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) showed over 3,000 families or more than 15,000 individuals were affected by the floodings in the province. 

At least 24,000 were affected in Lucena City. 

“Kahit po kami, hindi po namin in-expect na ganito po lng epektoang nangyari sa Barangay Cotta. Ngayon lang po uli, tumaas ng ganito kataas,” said Barangay Cotaa SK Chairperson Kian Palad. 

Some of the typhoon victims called on the national government for help including Marvina Gonzales, whose residence was damaged by the strong floods. Her daughter was supposed to attend her graduation Tuesday but their clothes were covered with mud. 

 "Syempre malungkot ho. Hindi ko alam kung paaano babangon. Kaunting tulong na lang po para sa aming binaha dito sa Lucena,” she said. 

“Wala pong sapatos ‘yung dalawa kong anak na ga-graduate, mairaos lang ho ‘yungmga anak,” she added. 

GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed food packs to more than 4,000 residents in Barangay Cotta. 

Relief operations

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed at least 100,000 food packs to the affected residents in Quezon. 

They are also preparing financial assistance, Chino Gaston reported on “24 Oras”.

In its latest situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said one fatality was confirmed due to the typhoon. At least five deaths in Calabarzon are still being validated.

The affected population was 36,143 and most of them were reported in CALABARZON with 19,180 and Bicol with 10,349.

Evacuation centers were sheltering 16,426 people or 4,076 families, most of which were in CALABARZON with 16,024. Meanwhile, 5,614 people or 1,245 families were staying in other places.

At least 22 houses in Eastern Visayas were damaged.

Of the 97 cities and municipalities affected by power outages, 61 have their supply back. Water supply has been restored in two affected areas. Communication lines were also back in two of the four affected areas.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News