By Isabella Magno

Amid the havoc brought about by Typhoon Karding on its landfall on September 26, Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on September 27, Tuesday, that eight people and three others went missing. 

The Council further stated that five of the casualties were from Bulacan, two were from Zambales, and the last one was from Quezon province, while the three individuals who went missing were from Mercedes, Camarines Norte. They noted, however, that these figures are yet to be confirmed and verified, as the causes of their death are still being determined. 

Moreover, the NDRRMC also reported that Typhoon Karding affected 60,817 people or over 16,000 families (about 10,000 of which were transferred to evacuation centers), and about 82,158 farmers and fisherfolk. 

In addition, based on the latest monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Typhoon Karding left damages to agricultural products — including rice, corn, livestock, and fisheries — amounting to Php 1.29 billion. 

Meanwhile, for infrastructures, around 6,500 houses and buildings needed fixing, while for the education sector, the Department of Education estimated that about Php 112 million is needed to be allotted for the repair of at least 20 damaged schools and other educational facilities in Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Bicol Region. 

Despite these comparatively high numbers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed that the nation “may have gotten lucky” because of the government’s preparation, which led to “the limited damages and casualties” when Typhoon Karding made landfall.

“Well, I think that we may have gotten lucky at least this time, a little bit. I think it’s clear from what we did these last two days is that very, very important is preparation,” the president stated, as the NDRRMC presented the collated data from different local government units. 

ADMU Donation Initiative

In light of this situation where several damages to different sectors of the country were affected, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) initiated a donation drive campaign to gather enough funds for the provision of food, water, and other immediate needs of the communities affected by Typhoon Karding. 

In a Facebook post on the ADMU official page, it said, “As super typhoon Karding bears down on Luzon, we are once again asking everyone to lend a hand and help those who are in harm’s way. We are once again opening our donation channels for Karding relief operations.”

Further details regarding the extension of relief efforts may be viewed through this link. 

Thumbnail from Aaron Favila