Defense Sec, AFP chief visit Catanduanes, assess damage brought by Typhoon Nina

From GMA News (Dec 27): Defense Sec, AFP chief visit Catanduanes, assess damage brought by Typhoon Nina

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año went to Virac, Catanduanes Tuesday afternoon ahead of the possible visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to assess the damage sustained by the island due to Typhoon Nina.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Lorenzana and Año were met by local officials and military and police personnel assigned on the island.

Approaching the island from the air and upon arrival, the officials saw that Virac was completely devastated and the province’s primary source of livelihood has been severely damaged, Padilla said.

He added that coconut trees, a major source both of livelihood and sustenance, were destroyed and may take five to 10 years before signs of recovery could be seen.

“The abaca industry, the primary source of livelihood here, is also seriously damaged and will need one or more years before it sees recovery and productivity,” he said.

Padilla quoted Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua as saying that the coconut trees on the island now looked like wilted candles, and except for their timber, would be useless for years to come.
“This is the strongest typhoon to hit us after 10 years,” Padilla quoted Cua as saying.

He said Cua also told them that despite the devastation caused by "Nina" they still consider themselves blessed since the province had zero fatality.

He said the Catanduanes governor also said that the people on the island have been very cooperative and have responded positively to calls for preemptive evacuation.

Catanduanes was one of the hardest hit by Typhoon Nina.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/593832/news/nation/defense-sec-afp-chief-visit-catanduanes-assess-damage-brought-by-typhoon-nina