VAMC Reportorial Team

LAOAG CITY---President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize the implementation of the flood control projects in Ilocos Norte, one of the North Luzon provinces severely-affected by four consecutive typhoons, the most recent of which was Typhoon Karen.

She also ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to repair irrigation systems in Ilocos Norte to enhance the rice production of one of the top rice-producing provinces in the north.

The President gave the marching orders during the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting held this afternoon at the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel.

''We prioritize, as requested by the Ilocos Norte, the flood control project in the province,'' the President said, as she noted the massive flooding in the province last week due to the breaching of the Mandongan Dam at the height of strong winds and heavy rains caused by Typhoon Karen.

In a report presented by Ilocos Norte Governor Michael Keon, four typhoons occurring at close intervals within a period of 37 days from July 14 to Aug. 20, 2008, affected the Laoag River Basin, causing massive flooding not only in Laoag City but also in the 15 municipalities of Ilocos Norte, Dingras, being the hardest hit.

Keon said that continuous heavy rains resulted to the saturation of soil materials, including riverbanks and dike embankments.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap informed the President that some P50 million has been ''downloaded'' for the repair and rehabilitation of the irrigation systems in the province.

At the same time, the President ordered the immediate repair of school buildings and houses not only in Ilocos Norte but specially in Cagayan, the province hardest-hit by Typhoon Karen.

The President ordered the prioritization of the rebuilding of 33 houses that were destroyed by Typhoon Karen and school buildings, with the release of P10 million out of the total of P64 million needed for the repair of school houses.

Some 25,000 families in 23 municipalities and 360 barangays in Ilocos Norte were displaced by Typhoon Karen.

Some P43.9 million worth of agricultural crops were destroyed, while damage to infrastructure facilities -- roads, bridges, farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems and dams -- was placed at P85.8 million.

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