Catanduanes: Residents of Catanduanes are urgently in need of construction materials to rebuild homes destroyed by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong), which battered the province with fierce winds and heavy rains over the weekend, Governor Patrick Azanza said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Azanza noted that the prepositioned 19,000 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development would be insufficient for almost 90,000 individuals displaced by the super typhoon. He emphasized the need for construction materials such as iron sheets, nails, and plywood to repair partially or totally damaged houses.

Catanduanes was among the first provinces hit hard by Uwan on Saturday, even before it made landfall as a super typhoon. The province experienced severe conditions with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 raised over the weekend. The provincial government implemented forced evacuation, which Azanza said helped save lives, particularly in coastal areas where there were high life-threatening storm surges.

In the port area, the seawall in front of the Coast Guard lighthouse was damaged due to the strong waves caused by the storm surge, and the former promenade Imelda Boulevard near the pier was flooded and appeared as part of the sea. Additionally, floodwaters in some barangays reached waist-deep, while in others, they surged up to the roofs of houses.

Governor Azanza expressed gratitude to the national government for their support. He mentioned discussions with Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who assured visits and aid to the affected residents. Furthermore, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda is sending 37 Starlinks to restore communication and internet lines.