August 26, 2015 – Massive floods spawned by continuous rains brought by typhoon Ineng (Goni) resulted to the displacement of more than 3,273 families or 38,622 persons from 131 barangays of 11 municipalities in the province of Cagayan. These include the towns of Abulog, Aparri, Ballesteros, Camalaniugan, Calayan, Claveria, Gonzaga, Piat, Sanchez Mira, Sta. Ana and Sta. Teresita. Ten towns and 44 villages were flooded forcing families to seek refuge in evacuation centers like barangay hall and gymnasium. Some families who did not go to the evacuation centers stayed in higher grounds for safety. Villages and thousands of hectares of farmlands have been submerged in floodwaters in Gonzaga, Sta. Teresita, Tuao, Piat, Abulog, Camalaniugan, Sta. Ana and Aparri.

At least 2, 100 families were preemptively evacuated in the towns of Gonzaga, Sta. Teresita, Calayan, Camiguin, Tuao, Piat, Abulog, Sta. Ana and Camalaniugan which were located near the shoreline and flood-prone areas. At least 100 individuals were stranded in Sta. Ana and Aparri Port as sea vessels were not allowed to sail while a public storm signal warning was up.

According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the damage in agriculture incurred by Typhoon Ineng’s wrath in the province has reached an estimated amount of more than Php65 million. Out of this amount, corn plantations registered the highest loss reaching Php31.4 million with a total affected area of 5,482 hectares. Meanwhile, losses from palay is initially placed at Php23,334,795 in over 9,300 hectares of rice fields where plants are mostly on vegetative stage. In addition, officials fear the newly-planted palay may not recover if these remain submerged in water for the next couple of days. Also, vegetables and high value crops especially watermelons have also been affected with a total damage estimated at Php9, 469, 000. In the fisheries sector, damage to facilities and different species were pegged at Php2.2 million.

According to the PDRRMC, more than 1,500 houses were reported partially damaged while 15 houses were totally damaged due to strong winds and storm surges. Also, strong winds brought by the typhoon toppled trees and electric posts leaving several towns with no power supply. Meanwhile, two people were hurt in the town of Ballesteros after they were hit by a corrugated roof set loose by the strong wind while Franics Sastre, was reportedly missing in the town of Tuao after he was carried away by rampaging waters while trying to rescue his carabao from the river.

Sixteen villages remained isolated in the towns of Claveria, Abulog, Sta. Terisita, and Tuao as major roads were closed and impassable due to landslides. These include Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya road, Claveria-Calanasan road and Tabuk-Enrile road. Bridges were also closed and reported impassable due to heavy flooding. These include Tawi bridge in Penablanca, Bagunot and Abusag bridge in Baggao and Sta. Barbara-Maguiling-Alibiao bridge in Piat.

The victims of typhoon Ineng are the most economically deprived segments in the population. They are the poor peasants, minimum wage earners and fisher folks. This condition makes them the perennial victims of natural calamities. Majority of them has not fully rebuilt their lives from previous disasters.

Past experiences tell us that government calamity funds barely cover even the immediate and short-term needs. Relief assistance is still most needed.

The Cagayan Valley Disaster Response Center (CVDRC) and Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) is now accepting donations in cash and in kind (canned goods, rice, water, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sleeping mats, blankets, etc.).

You can deposit directly to the following accounts:

Peso Account:

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center
Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
Account No. 636-3-63600741-3

Dollar Account:

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center
Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
Account No. 636-2-63600158-3
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

For inquiries, visit or call us at:

Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, 1104 Philippines
Phone: +63 2 929 98 20
Fax: +63 2 929 98 22
Email: info@cdrc-phil.com