3 dead in Surigao del Norte after Odette onslaught —Matugas

The death toll in Surigao del Norte due to Typhoon Odette rose from two to three, Surigao del Norte Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II said on Sunday.

“Mostly are injuries then mga reported missing. Ang problema sa missing because of the relocation, nag-relocate kasi ‘yung iba sa different areas ng island para magtago sa bagyo,” he said during a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Most were injuries and people reported missing. The relocation caused the missing people as many relocated in different areas to protect themselves from the storm.)

The injuries were mostly caused by falling debris, Matugas said.

He however said that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would help in the search and rescue missions to check the status of every municipality and the inventory of the tourists to inform the concerned families.

Updates will then be posted on Matugas’ and PCG’s Facebook pages.

Further, Matugas said they are still seeking additional supplies from outside  Surigao del Norte to cater to the needs of the evacuees.

“Ang pinaka-need ngayon is pagkain. Talagang naubos ‘yung pagkain kasi walang source kasi wala na ‘yung fishermen, wala na ‘yung farmers,” he said.

(Our primary need right now is food. Our food supplies have run out because we don’t have fishermen and farmers right now.)

As of Saturday, the province has received around 20 tonnes of supplies from various organizations which will be delivered to Siargao, Surigao City, and Dinagat Islands. The province is eyeing to receive five tonnes of supplies per day which will be delivered via plane.

Additional supplies of water and medicines are also needed, Matugas noted.

Meanwhile, he said the restoration of communication in the province may also take weeks as electricity and fuel supplies are also limited.

“‘Yung mga sources nila nasa bukid so the problem is maraming putol na kahoy sa daan. So, we’re working with DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] para ma-clear ‘yung daanan nila para mabilis nilang ma-repair,” Matugas said.

(Their sources are in the fields, but the problem is there are a lot of wood obstructions on the road. We’re working with DPWH to clear the path so they can immediately repair them.)

The Department of Energy on Friday said eight provinces, including Surigao del Norte, were left totally without electricity after Typhoon Odette damaged transmission lines as it crossed the Visayas and Mindanao.

Matugas reminded that while many residents now rely on generators that use fuels, essential groups should be the ones to get access to fuel supply first to gather information and help others.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte also committed P1 billion for infrastructure recovery and another P1 billion for the use of local government units (LGUs).

Typhoon Odette first made landfall over Siargao Island at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, before making landfall over the Dinagat Islands at 3:10 p.m. The two areas were under Tropical Cylone Wind Signal No. 4 then.

On Saturday, Matugas said according to his father, Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas, Siargao Island had "total devastation." —KG, GMA News