Rolly worst to hit Tabaco in Albay since 1952, says mayor

Super Typhoon Rolly was the worst to hit Tabaco City in Albay since Typhoon Trix in 1952, Tabaco Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro said Thursday in Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras.”

“All eyes are focused on Catanduanes because it was talaga heavily devastated, but Tabaco is also devastated. This is the worst typhoon since typhoon Trix in 1952. This is worse than Reming, this is worse than Niña,” Luistro said.

The whole city suffered P2.5 billion worth of damage due to Rolly. The super typhoon had totally destroyed 3,500 houses and partially damaged around 15,500 houses.

Fifteen barangays have little or no water supply while there is still no electricity in the city.

“More than 50 percent of the houses are totally damaged, 30 percent partially damaged, 90 percent of the bangkas washed out. Pero zero casualty,” Luistro said.

All homes beside the Basud River in Barangay Basud were destroyed after it overflowed due to the super typhoon.

“Grabe po yung binigay sa amin na dusa ni bagyong rolly. Sana po matulungan po kami. Mahirap po talaga pag ganito. Wala po kaming mahingan ng mga tulong,” Mammjed Del Castillo, a resident, said.

Another resident who did not evacuate was trapped by neck-deep floodwater. He had to swim to safety.

“Takot na takot po kasi buhay yung kapalit namin doon eh,” Patrick Viñas said.

Rolly also destroyed St. John the Baptist, a national cultural treasure that served as the evacuation center for residents of San Roque.

The ceiling of the 160-year-old church was torn off due to the super typhoon while its cross was blown away. Its windows were also destroyed.

Made of volcanic rocks, the church survived other calamities such as World War I, World War II, and the eruption of the Mayon Volcano.

The church has been coordinating with the National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for its restoration

“What happened to us is just a test of faith, test na gaano tayo katatag and united malalampasan natin ito with faith because Jesus is with us,” Assistant Priest Reverend Father Jeronimo Sevilla said.

Even the Bahay na Bato of poet Angela Manalang-Gloria, a national heritage treasure, was not spared by the super typhoon. The house had lost its walls while its ceiling was blown away. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News