Navy forms task force to help typhoon-hit Isabela

The Philippine Navy has formed a task force that will help in the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the typhoon-affected coastal towns in Isabela province in northern Luzon. Engineers, medical and health workers will compose the main body of the task force, according to Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo. The team, which will be headed by Commodore Edgar Abogado of the Navy’s Naval Forces Northern Luzon, is due to leave the Navy headquarters in Commodore Divino pier in Manila on Sunday midnight aboard BRP Dagupan City. Arevalo said the departing main body is composed of about 120 officers and men, including the ship’s crew. “The task force is expected to arrive Isabela in about two days because they will have to sail west to east, avoiding Babuyan island and Batanes where the sea is rough," Arevalo said. Arevalo said the main body would link up with Navy personnel who are already in the municipalities of Palanan, Maconacon and "other neighboring coastal towns that were practically flattened“ by the fury of typhoon "Juan" (Megi). Arevalo said Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez organized the task force on the call of Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, who has been receiving request for assistance from Isabela residents. “This more of a mercy mission," said Arevalo. “This is our effort to help our needy fellow Filipinos in that devastated area." As of Saturday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 28 people were killed due to “Juan," which pummeled northern Luzon provinces last weekend. On top of the fatalities, 41 people were also wounded while four remained missing. “Juan," described as a “super typhoon," also damaged about P8.22 billion in agricultural products from Regions I, II, III, Cordillera Administrative Region and Region IV-B. Initial estimates pegged the damage to infrastructure at P94 million. - KBK, GMANews.TV