At least 17 families lost their homes in a landslide in Barangay Poblacion in Bakun town, Benguet, due to bad weather caused by Typhoon Maring.
An estimated 15 houses were affected by the collapse, which also caused damage to part of the barangay hall.
The affected families are currently living in the homes of relatives and neighbors.
There are also those like the Aguyos family who first stay in the supposed isolation area for patients with COVID-19.
So far, there are 3 COVID-19 cases in Barangay Poblacion that have been isolated from other barangays.
“Noong gabi ng Lunes, maaga kami nakatulog kasi walang ilaw… Naramdaman ko nahulog ako sa kama, umiiyak anak ko, naipit paa. Umiyak ako [at] tinulungan ko siya,” said Flordeliza Aguyos.
Up to 100 square meters have been reduced from the original 300 square meters building of Barangay Poblacion near the houses.
The office, kitchen, and toilet of the barangay hall and the clinic where incoming visitors are triaged were affected.
Bakun is surrounded by three mountains, including Mount Kabunian.
According to Osias Mateo Jr., chairperson of Barangay Poblacion, they will use the supplemental budget to buy supplies for the clinic and see if any items can be saved.
The people of Poblacion first built a temporary clinic surrounded by a tent.
15 houses, barangay hall in Bakun, Benguet affected by landslide
According to Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo, he plans to request the declaration of a state of calamity to help their town recover immediately.
So far, the town has not received any visitors.
Baguio City, 3 hours away from Bakun, also does not accept non-essential travelers, as COVID-19 cases are still high in the city.
The city allegedly did not allow almost 1,000 people to travel to Baguio this October.
Meanwhile, NDRRMC reported typhoon Maring caused P1.09 billion in the agriculture sector. This includes rice and other crops, livestock, fisheries, and equipment.
About P70 million in losses were also reported from Western Visayas. Still, the Ilocos Region was the most affected with more than P633 million worth of damage, followed by the Cordillera Administrative Region, a highland area, with P340.38 million. In Cagayan Valley, the damage was so far estimated at P116.71 million.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.