JAGNA – At 10:45 in the morning of July 27, a whirlwind or “ipo-ipo” shocked the people of Jagna as it moved over the 4 coastal barangays of Can-upao, Bunga Mar, Cantagay and Ipil leaving a wake of damaged houses and bancas. The “ipo-ipo” finally dissipated into the sea.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council led by the town’s Mayor Atty. Fortunato R. Abrenilla and Vice Mayor Exuperio C. Lloren immediately responded to the call for help of the affected families.
Right after the “ipo-ipo” dissipated into the sea, damage assessments were under way. TARSIER 117, the province’s quick response team helped the local quick response team of the JEMRU and Bureau of Fire Protection in restoring order amidst the chaos.
Jagna MDRRM Officer Engr. Gerry V. Araneta reported as of 7:00 PM, July 27 that a total of 43 families in Brgy. Can-upao, 42 families in Bunga Mar; 2 families in Cantagay and one family in Ipil were affected. Three houses totally damaged (uprooted) in Brgy. Can-upao according to Punong Barangay Edcel Tutor and the rest were partially damaged with teared roofs and walls. A house was struck by 2 fallen coconut trees ploughed by the “ipo-ipo”. Trees and plants were uprooted.
The “ipo-ipo” ploughed the coast of Brgy. Bunga Mar partially damaging a total of 18 motorized and non-motorized bancas. Total damage to property as estimated by the MDRRMC is approximately 1.3 million pesos. No casualty was reported as well as any missing person.
The MDRRMC gave relief goods to the affected residents at around 4:30PM at Brgy. Can-upao and Bunga Mar.
Governor Edgar Chatto and Vice Governor Concepcion Lim came to Can-upao ang Bunga Mar to give the province’s initial assistance. Together with them are officers of the PSWD led by Ms. Carmelita Tecson and Ms. Papiasa Bustrillos from the DSWD.
Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla personally thanked the governor and vice governor for their quick assistance as well as their visit. It assuaged the sadness felt by the affected families.
Some of the affected families said that the experience was fearsome but it left a challenge to continue to strive and hope for the betterment of their families.
