Report: Aquino arrives in Isabela to inspect 'Juan'-hit areas

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III arrived in Isabela province Thursday morning to inspect areas hard-hit by super typhoon "Juan" (international name: Megi). A report on dzMM radio said Aquino arrived past 8 a.m. and was expected to visit coastal areas that suffered extensive damage. Before Aquino's arrival, secretaries Corazon Soliman (Social Welfare) and Jesse Robredo (Interior and Local Government) arrived in the province, bringing relief goods for residents in the afflicted areas. Death toll rises The death toll from super typhoon "Juan" (international name: Megi) has risen to 19 as of Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said the number of injured rose to 24, including four in Pangasinan, one in La Union, seven in Cagayan, six in Kalinga, and six in Benguet. NDRRMC said "Juan" affected 63,450 families (or 332,364 people) in 21 provinces. At least 5,425 houses were completely destroyed while 8,570 others were partially-damaged. The initial estimate of damage to property was at P4.771 billion, including P4.767 billion in agriculture and P4.22 million in infrastructure. Govt flies relief goods Earlier on Thursday, the government started flying relief goods to towns hit hard by the super typhoon. Radio dwIZ reported that a C-130 plane carrying food packs and tents left Villamor Air Base before dawn, hours before Aquino was to visit the area. On Wednesday, Soliman said government ferried relief goods to Isabela but via trucks. Air travel over Isabela had been difficult in past days due to bad weather. The dwIZ report said the C-130's relief cargo included 5,000 food packs, tents, noodles, and 1,000 boxes of high-energy protein biscuits. Meanwhile, Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III said his province is already taking efforts to recover from the destruction caused by "Juan." In an interview on dzBB radio, Dy said power had been restored in Cauayan City and some parts in the province's southern areas. However, he said they expect power to be restored to most of the province by Wednesday next week. Dy said Divilacan, Maconacon and Palanan remained in need of relief goods.