MANILA, Philippines – Netizens took to social media to appeal for more information about residents of the landlocked Kalinga Province in the north devastated by Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) on Thursday, October 20.
The province has been without electricity, power, and water since Thursday. Roadways were only cleared on Saturday, October 22.
According to Lea Vanessa Ancheta, who reached out to media for help, people in Kalinga have to travel for 45 minutes before they can call or text. Some of the first photos out of the area indicated heavy damage to buildings and agriculture.
#KALINGA is under state of calamity But we do not hear any news in media about what is the status of our families out...
Posted by Nobeth Asingwa Madriaga on Friday, October 21, 2016
Also on Saturday, a Facebook post by Vice Governor James Edduba indicated that Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac declared a state of calamity in the entire province the day before.
A total of 6 people in Kalinga were killed and 2,113 families were affected by the typhoon, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC).
An entire family of 5 was buried in a landslide that occurred at Roadside, Lower Uma, in Lubuagan. Huge boulders and debris fell on the road at night, burying the home of the Dupa-as family. The youngest child was only 1 year old.
The local electric cooperative said it would take at least two months to restore power, but mobile communications could be restored in 3 to 4 days.
Province of Kalinga put the whole province under a state of calamity through Sanguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No...
Posted by James Edduba on Friday, October 21, 2016
Abraham Mamaril, a resident of Baguio who hails from Kalinga, also appealed on Facebook for people to help the province. He said “Kalinga is still a part of the Philippines and must not be forgotten.”
Mamaril tried to reach Kalinga on Friday but had to turn back because the roads were blocked. He said that aid has yet to reach the isolated communities there and that they urgently need water and other supplies.
“Let's all pray for strength so that we shall overcome this by supporting and helping each other especially the members and families of our Kakailyan who died in this tragic incident,” Edduba posted on Facebook.
Kalinga is a popular tourist destination for backpackers and hikers. – Rappler.com