Not much damage in Batanes due to Siony, says governor

Despite Severe Tropical Storm Siony's passage, the province of Batanes did not have much damage, Governor Marilou Cayco said on Saturday.

"Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi naman ganoon kalaki ang pinsala sa amin. Marami lang natumbang mga saging at may mga nabuwal na konting mga puno," Cayco said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Pero wala hong nasira sa mga bahay, kalsada, tulay o infrastructure. Tubig, kuryente, komunikasyon, walang napinsala," she added.

Batanes was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 on Friday as Siony moved closer to the province.

PAGASA warned of damaging gale- to storm-force winds and moderate to heavy rains on Friday.

Siony made landfall over the municipality of Itbayat on Friday morning.

"Malakas ang Siony. Malakas ang hangin at ulan," Cayco said.

"Naiwasan ang mga damage dahil maaga nagtali ng mga bahay at bubong at naglagay ng window shutters," she added.

Cayco said only two people evacuated before Siony's arrival.

"Nagkaroon lang kami ng dalawang evacuees na mag-asawa na natatakot silang maiwan sa bahay gawa ng light materials ang kanilang ginamit na paggawa ng kanyang bahay," she said.

"Dinala kaagad sila sa eskuwelahan at safe na safe sila. Nakauwi na sila sa kanilang tahanan," Cayco said.

"Dito po sa amin ay 'yung mga light materials ang mga bahay kung gusto nilang mag-evacuate ay sasabihin nila sa amin. O lilipat sila sa kapitbahay na kongkreto ang bahay. Wine-welcome sila doon at 'pag humupa ang bagyo, bumabalik sila sa kanilang tahanan," she added.

Cayco said the provincial government has resolved to give relief goods to all residents regardless of income class before Siony's arrival.

"Bago pa ho magbagyo ay namigay na kami sa lahat ng pamilya hindi lang sa vulnerable sector — 10 kilos bigas at 1 kilo na pork. Dapat may kasamang monggo pero hindi nakarating ang barko," she said.

The provincial government will continue giving relief goods on Monday to residents in two islands as they were not able to distribute all items before the storm arrived.

Siony has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Saturday.

COVID-19

Cayco also said Batanes remains COVID-free as of Saturday.

"Sa ngayon po ay COVID-free kami," she said.

"May 95 na naka-quarantine pero walang symptoms ng COVID," Cayco added.

The governor said the province still does not accept tourists at this time.

"Siguro i-address namin 'yan sa December kung ano na ang sitwasyon sa Manila at sa mga probinsiya malapit sa Batanes," she said.

Returning residents however may arrive in the province but they have to subject themselves to 14-day quarantine, Cayco said. —KG, GMA News