NEWS | Part 1 of 2: Still reeling from Rolly, the Philippines faced the wrath of Typhoon Ulysses
By Rowz Fajardo
While the country was still recovering from the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni), the strongest tropical cyclone in the world in 2020, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) struck the Philippines last November 11 unleashing strong winds and torrential rain which triggered massive floods in several parts of the country. The typhoon pummeled different areas of Luzon, causing a state of calamity to be raised in different places.
Damages brought by Ulysses
As of November 14, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed 32 fatalities. From this number, 15 were from Cagayan Valley, six from Calabarzon, five from Bicol, and six from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also counted 352,509 Filipinos forced to flee their homes. A total of 193,532 individuals were forced to evacuate in Bicol; 78,647 in Calabarzon; 36,256 in Metro Manila; 20,991 in Central Luzon; 14,952 in Mimaropa; 5,985 in Cagayan Valley; 1,324 in Ilocos; and 822 in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Furthermore, based on the initial estimates of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Typhoon Ulysses wiped out about P104 million worth of agricultural goods in the CAR, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon. An estimated number of 3,000 farmers and fishermen were affected with almost 8,000 metric tons of production loss. Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) called on the government to address the needs of the food frontliners affected and displaced by Ulysses.
“We appeal for a speedy government support in a form of economic aid and livelihood subsidy,” Ronnel Arambulo, PAMALAKAYA-Southern Tagalog Spokesperson lamented.
In terms of damaged infrastructures, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar reported that some ₱4.254 billion in losses were incurred. Some bridges were reportedly damaged and are now under construction or set to be restored. Villar added that the analysis done on Marikina Bridge showed no compromise in its structural integrity while the R10 Bridge in Navotas, which was rammed by an abandoned ship last Thursday, is currently under observation by the DPWH.
Areas under state of calamity
Due to unexpected threats brought about by the typhoon, several local government units (LGUs) in Luzon were forced to declare a state of calamity in their respective places. The number is expected to rise as LGUs are currently studying their areas. As of writing, Marikina City, Municipality of Real, Quezon, Municipality of Dingalan, Aurora, the province of Isabella, and Tuguegarao City are among those who have confirmed their declaration of state of calamity.
Marikina, which was one of the cities deeply struck by Typhoon Ulysses, reported roughly 40,000 homes had been either fully or partially with an estimation of ₱10 billion damages to infrastructures. Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoroand also stated that there were ₱30 to ₱40 billion worth of damages to livelihoods. The water level in Marikina River rose to 21.8 meters last November 12 which was reportedly higher than the 21.5-meter water level brought by Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.
Meanwhile in the Municipality of Real, Quezon, a total of 9,125 people, which represents over 21% of the total population of the town, were directly affected by the typhoon. As stated in the resolution passed by the municipal council of Real, there were numerous families that have been greatly affected during the said period in terms of damage to their dwelling, livelihood and agricultural undertakings and fisheries.
The Municipality of Dingalan, Aurora which was under state of calamity since November 13 also reported that around 1,000 residents of the coastal areas of Dingalan were heavily affected by Typhoon Ulysses. Reports claimed that 100 percent of fishing boats in the coastal town were destroyed. Dingalan Mayor Sherwin Taay asked for the help of the national government stating that the funds of the LGU are already exhausted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the successive typhoons.
Finally, Governor Rodolfo Albano III officially declared a state of calamity in the province of Isabella after conducting an aerial survey and witnessing the widespread damage caused by the massive flooding in their area. According to Albano, ten towns in the province’s first district were the hardest hit and at least 50 out of 91 villages had been inundated.
The situation in Cagayan
Cagayan Valley also made rounds in social media as people called for rescue in the province. The whole city is currently submerged in flood water as the water level of Buntun Bridge reportedly hit 13.3 meters, the level is still expected to rise in the next 24 hours.
Vice President Leni Robredo already coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the deployment of rescue to Cagayan. According to reports, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Army arrived in Linao East, Tuguegarao City on November 14 to help rescue residents trapped in their homes.
The three evacuation centers in Enrile, Cagayan are reportedly at full capacity. According to Mayor Jun Decena, they did preemptive evacuation on top of the rescues during Typhoon Ulysses in the centers located in the eastern, western, and central parts of the municipality. However, the evacuation center in the eastern area is also flooded, with waters reaching the knees.
As of November 14, Cagayan’s death toll rose to nine, while there were at least 84,257 individuals affected from 24 municipalities. Following these reports, Tuguegarao City Council also declared a state of calamity.
Power and Water Interruptions
Typhoon Ulysses’ heavy rains worked against the operations of concessionaires Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc., causing residents of Metro Manila and some parts of Southern Luzon to grapple with water supply interruptions.
On separate advisories last November 12, Maynilad and Manila Water announced low pressure to no water flow for their customers caused by murky dam water and power outages that affected their operations.
Maynilad initially announced rotating service interruptions in the west zone which was instigated by the poor water quality at the Ipo Dam in Bulacan due to the reduced production of clean water at its La Mesa Treatment Plants. Around one million connections or seven million customers are affected by the said interruptions.
On the other hand, Manila Water advised its east zone customers on the afternoon of November 12 that power outages and immense flooding in its pumping stations led to lower water supply at its reservoirs in Antipolo, San Mateo, Rodriguez, and other parts of Rizal, as well as in Pasig and Marikina. According to them, generator sets are currently powering pumps.
Furthermore, several parts of the country experienced power interruptions caused by Typhoon Ulysses. According to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, roughly 1.9 million homes lost power during the onslaught of the typhoon. As of writing, some 360,684 customers still have no electricity. According to Meralco, they are aiming to finish restoring electricity in the affected areas by November 15.
(This is a two-part story. For the first part, you may visit: https://tinyurl.com/y2edrwjd)
