Typhoon Frank tragedy remembered
The pain is still there and the memories of the tragedy are fresh as survivors marked the day when their loved ones and relatives died while some remain missing until now as Typhoon Frank hit Western Visayas two years ago.
Yesterday several masses were held to commemorate the second anniversary of the destructive flood brought by Typhoon Frank.
Bangon Iloilo Movement held a simple program and food fest for the flood victims at the Jaro gymnasium yesterday morning.
According to Liga ng mga Barangay Jaro district president Jonas Bellosillo the commemoration aims to remind the people to be prepared for any disaster such as the great flashflood spawned by Typhoon Frank on June 21-25, 2008.
Bellosillo recalled that many organizations conducted massive rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in the barangays hit by flashfloods which put the city under water for four days.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office reported that 48,705 families or 243,435 persons in 145 barangays out of the total 180 city barangays were affected by the flood, 1,428 houses totally damaged, 2,515 houses partially damaged, 169 persons injured and 21 persons dead.
Hardly hit were 23 barangays in Jaro I, 18 barangays in Jaro II, 30 in La Paz, 25 barangays in Molo, 19 in the city proper, 18 in Mandurriao, and 12 in Arevalo district and some P800 million worth of properties and infrastructures were destroyed.
In the region, a total of 305 persons died in the tragedy, 2,555 injured persons while 226 remain missing and were presumed dead, too.
Also, damages to infrastructure amounted to P6,399,424,292.75, damages to environment (DENR projects), P132,313,431.42 while damages to agriculture amounted to P3,146,715,738.11 to include the agricultural infrastructure and facilities.
Right after the incident, the RDCC- 6 facilitated the release of 11,100 sacks of rice from National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in coordination with National Food Authority (NFA) for assistance to the victims
Also RDCC-6 facilitated the release of five units rubber boats, 18 generator sets and some working tools/equipment.
The Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD-6) also augmented and distributed relief goods which amounted to P48,007,199.00 for Local Government Units (LGUs) that served a total of 351,755 families or 1,800,648 persons
The Department of Health (DoH) conducted rapid health assessment with total assistance extended to affected areas in Panay Island is P2,878,897.15
Department of Education (DepEd) also conducted clearing operations in the amount of P1 million for the immediate repair and rehabilitation of school buildings in the amount of P31 millions to 36 recipient schools in region.
Other government offices that extended help were: DPWH, PCG, DA, BFAR, DOLE, PNP, AFP, PNRC and Local DCCs like Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo , Negros Occidental, Bacolod City , Iloilo City, and Guimaras.
Non-government offices like PHAPCARES Foundation, Inc., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Save the Children, and TSKI also contributed a lot in post-typhoon operations.
