DISASTER EVENTS AND EMERGENCIES BULLETIN NO. 2023-05
AS OF JULY 27, 2023

Since the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay (International Name: Doksuri) on July 26, 2023, at least 10,011 families or 37,795 individuals were severely affected in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union in the Ilocos Region, Philippines. STy Egay has brought severe flooding to several communities displacing 1,684 families or 5,786 persons according to Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD-FO1) (as of July 27, 2023).

Among the affected population, 1,071 families or 3,615 persons were evacuated to designated evacuation centers while 613 families or 2,171 persons evacuated outside the evacuation centers.

Typhoon Egay, which first became a tropical depression located 900 km East of Southeastern Luzon and was traversing slowly North Northwestward on July 21, it was projected that it will turn into a Super Typhoon upon reaching the northern part of Northern Luzon.

On July 26, Super Typhoon Egay was located over the waters near FUGA Island in Aparri, Cagayan with an intensity of maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center, gustiness of 240 km/h, and central pressure of 935 hPa.

During this period, the Northern part of Ilocos Norte including the municipalities of Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Adams, Pasuquin, Vintar, and Bacarra was declared under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 4 while the rest of Ilocos Norte including the northern part of Ilocos Sur including Magsingal, San Juan, Sinait, San Vicente, Santo Domingo, San Ildefonso, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Vigan City, Caoayan, Santa, Nagbukel, and Narvacan were under TCWS no. 3. The rest of Ilocos Sur and the whole of La Union were declared under TCWS no 2.

STy Egay (which was downgraded into Typhoon category on July 27) was forecasted with accumulated rainfall of more than 200 mm for Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur while La Union will experience 100-200 mm from July 26 to 27.

The heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding and overflowing of river systems and tributaries in the three provinces of the Ilocos Region. Laoag River in Ilocos Norte and Lower Abra River in Ilocos Sur has risen to critical levels. In Brgy. Capampangan in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, water levels have risen to the roof level of two-story houses due to the overflowing of the river. In La Union, the Aringay River has also overflowed coupled with high tide resulting in severe flooding in Sitio Nagpanawan in Brgy. Alaska, Aringay.

INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNICATION AND ELECTRICITY SITUATION

Several reports of power blackouts and interruptions were received by ICRED in the past two days. In Ilocos Norte, due to a crash of the 69-kilovolt power transmission line in the municipality of Pasuquin, the towns of Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, and Adams have no electricity as of writing. In Ilocos Sur and La Union, several areas have reported power interruptions including Salcedo, Narvacan, and Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur, and 77 barangays in Burgos, Agoo, Aringay, Santol, Rosario and San Fernando City. Municipalities of San Juan, Balaoan, and Bacnotan also reported power interruptions on July 26.

Along with the power blackout in the northern part of Ilocos Norte, several municipalities in that area also suffered from communication interruption for almost 2 days.

As for infrastructure damages, DSWD-FO1 initially reported that at least 587 houses were partially damaged while 11 were totally damaged as of July 27, 2023. Some bridges were also damaged including the Suguidan bridge in the municipality of Naguilian in La Union.

According to the initial assessment of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (IN-PDRRMO), it was reported that damage amounted to PHP 300,000 as of July 27.

INITIAL IMPACTS OF STY EGAY ON LIVELIHOOD

Interruptions to work and damage to agricultural crops and livestock compound the already economically burdened situation of vulnerable families. Fisherfolk and farming families that belong to low-income earners are having a hard time as Typhoon Egay ravages.

According to the provincial government of La Union, at least PHP 212,426 worth of agricultural damage was brought upon by STy Egay while in Ilocos Norte, at least 6.069 M were initially estimated.

Since July 24, fisherfolk families have stopped their livelihood due to strong winds and unpredictable waves. In La Union, at least 16,522 registered fisherfolks were affected by gale brought by STy Egay. An income estimate of at least PHP 7,434,900 to 14,869,800 were lost among fisherfolk families in the province (based on the average income of poor fisherfolk family of PHP 150-300 daily from July 24 to 26).

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE AID TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN ILOCOS NORTE, ILOCOS SUR, AND LA UNION

We call the provincial government units and government agencies for immediate aid to communities in dire need. As calamities compound the socioeconomic burden of the vulnerable communities, it is high time for the affected areas to receive immediate, appropriate, and sufficient relief aid.

We also call for cash donations to extend assistance to STy Egay affected families in Ilocos.

For CASH Donations, you can donate through this cash channel:

BPI LAOAG FONACIER
Account Name: Ilocos Center for Research, Empowerment, and Development
Account No.: 000593-3393-86
**Please send a copy of the deposit slip to our email: ilocoscred@gmail.com for confirmation.