Albay: The Office of Albay 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian Salceda has reported that Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) inflicted an estimated PHP3.71 billion in damages, severely impacting infrastructure, agriculture, and local livelihoods in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the majority of the losses, approximately PHP2.8 billion, stemmed from infrastructure damage, particularly from collapsed flood-control systems and road networks. Agricultural losses were estimated at PHP400 million, affecting around 8,000 hectares of rice fields in the towns of Libon, Polangui, and Oas. The remaining PHP510 million in damages resulted from residential, commercial, and other economic disruptions.
Significant structural damage was reported to the Centro Oriental and Gabon dikes in Polangui, the Bobonsuran, Malama, and Paclas flood-control structures in Ligao City, and the Carisac dikes in Libon. The San Francisco dike in Guinobatan, which had previously shown signs of erosion, has now completely collapsed. Embankment failures were also noted in the Ubaliw-Talongog and Ilaor Norte-Busac sections of Oas.
In a statement, Salceda highlighted the compounding impact of the recent devastation, noting that many flood-control structures damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in 2024 have now fully collapsed following Uwan. He appealed for assistance in restoring these critical defenses to prevent similar levels of damage in the future.
Salceda noted that local governments utilized sandbagging and community-built embankments to slow water flow along the Quinale A River and its tributaries, providing critical time for evacuation efforts. Early warnings and preemptive evacuations ensured that approximately seventy-five thousand families were relocated to safer areas before the typhoon’s landfall.
Coordination among the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bureau of Fire Protection, local government units, and community volunteers was key in ensuring that all major roads were cleared and passable within 48 hours of the storm, Salceda said. He also noted that many rice farmers were forced to harvest early to mitigate losses, a decision that may temporarily impact farmgate prices.
Salceda has requested support from the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority to consider local procurement or emergency market support to help farmers manage the economic impact. He emphasized the need for national support in rebuilding stronger flood defenses and irrigation systems, urging collaboration with various governmental departments to ensure effective use of resources.
Salceda concluded by expressing confidence in the President’s commitment to scientific and evidence-based governance and readiness to collaborate with national agencies to ensure sustainable recovery efforts.
