'Pablo’s' damage to Siqujor over P50M, claims one lifePower is back,nomal life anew

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Dec 17 (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo that also hit Siquijor province on December 4 this year resulted in over P50 million in damages to the province’s crops, livestock, houses, and other infrastructure, a report obtained from the provincial and municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Centers (DRRMCs) said. 

Of the six towns in the province, Siquijor was reported to be severely affected with a total estimated cost of damage at P19,482,697 including the almost 1,000 households wrecked by the typhoon and more than 50 percent of its crops and agricultural products damaged. 

Maria town comes next with a total damage of P15,217,737; Enrique Villanueva, P9,361,331; Lazi, P4.5 million; and Larena at P1,453,165. 

San Juan town has reported a damaged of P2,460,000 to crops and houses alone. 

Siquijor province was placed under typhoon Pablo signal no. 3 on December 4. 

Power lines especially in the mountain barangays and other infrastructure bogged down causing a total blackout for two days. 

Uprooted and falling trees were everywhere and the sound of chainsaws reverberated in the muted aftermath. 

ADelta boat sunk with its six crews missing for several hours but were luckily rescued the following day. 

A fishing boat reportedly capsized in the middle of Bohol and Siquijor seas and passengers Ayte Almani, 17, and Banjeing Dumay Yankee Hapay, 38, both from Tutolan, Dauis, Bohol were able to swim their way to the shore of Enrique Villanueva town in Siquijor, a report from P/Insp. Vincent Dumaguing to the town’s DRMMO said. 

Typhoon Pablo however, claimed one Helbert Daniel, 25, who was dead on the spot while riding a motorcycle. He was hit by a fallen coconut tree in Lazi, Siquijor. 

MV Euro 3 of Villa Shipping Lines, with a crew of 16, was pushed off the coast in Maria town. One crewman who was reported to be missing was found floating, 300 meters from its aground, safe. 

The provincial government, in a resolution, declared on December 6 the island-province of Siquijor under state of calamity due to severe damage to houses and crops, said PDRRMC executive officer Arturo Pacatang. 

“It is our response to the effect of Pablo to Siquijor's business, infrastructure, agriculture, and the people in general,” Pacatang said. 

To date, electrical power has been restored to most of the island and things are getting back to normal. (mbcn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor) 

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Siquijor opens coastal resource management center

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Dec 17 (PIA) -- Siquijor has been one of the strongest supporters of marine management and the first island in the Philippines to create and implement a marine protected area network, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc. (CCEF) board secretary and co-founder Evangeline White reported during the inauguration of the Provincial Coastal Resource Management (CRM) learning in center in Larena, Siquijor recently. 

White said that with her husband CCEF president, Dr. Allan White, the foundation is very proud to work with the leaders of Siquijor in bringing marine conservation issues to the forefront. 

Siquijor has been a partner of CCEF since 2002 when coastal resource management efforts were introduced in the island. Since then, blast fishing has gone down to zero and there has been no reported cases of illegal fishing in the waters surrounding the island. 

The learning center is a joint project of the Siquijor provincial government, CCEF, and the Deutsche Gesselscaft fur Interntionale Zusammenarbeit to serve as the venue for discussion on marine and coastal conservation efforts of the island. 

It was built on a lot donated by the province and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of State, Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit or German Development Service (DED) and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. 

“This is the only Learning Center for the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Project in the Philippines that is foreign-funded through CCEF,” Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio, CCEF executive director said. 

Osorio said the learning center is the best symbol of strong implementation of all CRM projects in the island for the last 10 years. 

“It is with this pride that Siquijor has this center to benefit not only students, farmers and fishermen but some local government units as well,” she added. (mbcn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)