BALANGA, BATAAN – Bataan Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III on Tuesday, reported zero casualties or injuries in the Province of Bataan during the height of super typhoon Karding, even as slight flooding affected 13 barangays from four municipalities and 910 families were pre-emptively evacuated to safer grounds last Sunday.
Garcia added that all the families safely returned to their homes on Monday after Storm Signal 4 was gradually decreased and lifted completely before noon.
Garcia also told local reporters that there were no significant damages to infrastructure and only minimal agricultural damages were brought about by typhoon Karding based on a situational report from the Bataan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) headed by Ms. Glensy Diwa.
The Governor commended the hard work and commitment of the men and women from the different government agencies who responded efficiently and decisively to mitigate the effects of the typhoon, specifically in the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong, Orani, Samal, and Abucay where the typhoon signal no. 4 was called.
Some 236 personnel were deployed from 13 Provincial and National Government Agency Offices namely, the PDRRMO, Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA), Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), Bataan Provincial Police Office (PPO), 305th CDC Arescom, Office of the Provincial Agriculture, 70th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Coast Guard Bataan, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Provincial General Services Office (GSO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the different MDRRMOs.
A total of 12 fire trucks, 10 patrol vehicles, 5 private vehicles, 5 ambulances, and 65 heavy equipment trucks with tools, equipment, and accessories (TEAs) were dispatched to assist local government units (LGU).
LGU-Bataan information chief Angel Ortiz-Luis said that as soon as PAGASA reported the emergence of the super typhoon, Garcia immediately announced the suspension of classes and government offices and met last Sunday afternoon with the men and women behind the province’s Disaster Emergency Preparedness and Response team to make sure that an efficient response system was in place while carefully monitoring the situation on the ground.
Garcia also ensured that food and other supplies were adequate to cater to the needs of affected Bataenos and were dispatched swiftly.
Garcia said, “we truly give thanks to God for the way Bataan was spared from the effects of the super typhoon. At the same time, we also recognize the consolidated and unified efforts showcased by our dedicated public servants during challenging times such as the one imposed on us by super typhoon Karding. Rest assured that we, at the provincial government of Bataan, will continue to en hance our capacity and capabilities to respond as we continue to strengthen our partnership and network on vertical and horizontal platforms for the welfare of our people.”