Overall Situation
• On May 18, Typhoon Ambo, now only a Low Pressure Area, was estimated based on all available data at 155 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.
• Metro Manila and the rest of the country is experiencing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers caused by localized thunderstorms which may result to possible flash floods or landslides. (Source: PAGASA)
Reports on Affected Populations
• As pf May 18, a total of 25,474 families 82,563 persons are affected in 59 cities/municipalities in 8 provinces of CALABARZON, Region VIII, and CAR.
• A total of 54 persons were injured in Regions III and VIII.
• A total of 2 bridges and 6 road section in Regions II, CALABARZON, VIII, and CAR were reported not passable. Of which, 1 bridge and 2 road sections remain not passable.
• Major roads in northern part of Eastern Samar and Northern Samar are not yet passable due to debris on the road. Roads in Paranas, Samar to Taft, Eastern Samar is temporarily closed due to possible landslides. While the road in San Roque going to Palapag, Northern Samar is not yet passable to any type of vehicle.
• Areas in the cities of Mandaluyong and Malabon were reported but already subsided.
• 12 structures were reported damaged in Regions V and VIII of which, 9 are health facilities.
Region/Province Particular Remarks
Hospital Facilities (9)
Region V
Albay Bicol Regional Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Legazpi City Temporarily no specimen collection and testing for COVID-19; not functional
Sorsogon Pantaleon G. Gotladera Memorial Hospital, Bulan Partially damaged/still functional
Donsol District Hospital Partiallydamaged/still functional
Irosin District Hospital Partially damaged/still functional
Region VIII
Western Samar Tarangnan Community Hospital Partially damaged/still functional
Eastern Samar Arteche Rural Health Unit Not functional (damaged roofing, medicines, records and equipment)
Maslog Rural Health Unit Partially damaged/still functional
San Policarpo Rural Health Unit Partially damaged/still operational
Oras Rural Health Unit Totally damaged/not functional
Others (3)
Region VIII
Eastern Samar Municipal Gymnasium, Maslog Totally damaged
Municipal Gymnasium, Arteche Partially damaged
Poblacion seawall, Llorente Partially damaged
• The Municipal Health Units of the LGUs are actively trying to answer to the medical needs of the people, but are also lacking in supplies.
• There are pharmacies available but are expensive and are running out of supplies.
• DepEd reported a total of 75 damaged schools in Regions III (6), CALABARZON (7), MIMAROPA (1), V (43), VIII (17), and CAR (1).
• Strong winds destroyed most houses that are made of light material like bamboo, nipa, plywood and coco lumber. Small houses in coastal areas were damaged by storm surge and flash floods.
• Roofs of some concrete houses were blown away by strong winds especially in municipalities where the typhoon made landfall.
• A total of 255 areas in 18 provinces of Regions III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VIII, and NCR experienced power line interruption. Of which, power in 63 areas was already restored.
• The rest of the province of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar has no electricity supply. Fallen electric posts are seen on the road. Local authorities have no estimate when electricity will be restored.
• Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, and Maslog areas in Eastern Samar are experiencing signal interruption.
• Weak Globe signal and no signal for Smart was reported in Northern Samar.
• A total of 121 passengers, 55 rolling cargoes were reported stranded while 11 are taking shelter in CGS Northern Samar.
• Typhoon Ambo had so far wrought damage and losses worth P1.04 billion to the agriculture sector, leaving as many as 21,655 farmers and fisherfolk reeling from its impact.
• Based on a data from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Ambo’s onslaught have so far resulted in production loss of 62,228 MT with as much as 20,652 hectares of agricultural areas damaged.
• The damage covers several areas in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas regions.
• It turns out that most affected agriculture commodities would be high value crops, accounting for 73% or P755.57 million of the total damage and losses. Some of the most badly hit products are bananas and papayas in Quezon province.
• Other affected commodities are rice, corn, assorted vegetables, livestock, and fisheries as well as fish stock, facilities, and equipment.
• The typhoon has caused enormous damage to vegetables, root crops, corn and other agricultural produce of the areas affected by the typhoon. Nearby municipalities were also affected.
• Some communities in Northern and Western Samar have reported severe damages to their agricultural livelihoods, and coastal villages have also been affected by the typhoon.
• Many communities in the affected areas lost livestock, and sari-sari stores were heavily damaged. Due to the storm, their loss of livelihoods and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, life for the affected communities has become even more difficult.
• A total of 19,141 families or 71,730 persons were pre-emptively evacuated in Regions II, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VIII, and CAR.
• Thousands of families are now displaced to designated evacuation centers of the local government units. Other survivors are temporarily staying with their relatives or in makeshift houses. Almost 10,000 families were evacuated during the typhoon in Northern Samar.
• Some municipalities did not evacuate the families prior to the landfall of Typhoon Ambo due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions particular on social distancing. However, there are LGUs who forcedly evacuated affected families especially those living in coastal and upstream areas.
• Thousands of families have not yet received food assistance both from government and private organizations.
• Big and small stores are open, but supplies are limited due to hindrances to transportation in major roads.
• Water has brown discoloration after the occurrence of the typhoon and people have no choice but to drink this in remote areas of Palapag, Northern Samar.
• There are toilets, but water and other basic facilities in designated evacuation centers are not available and functional. LGUs admitted these issues and are concerned, but don’t have sources of funds to shoulder the maintenance of the buildings/facilities.
• Women are mostly tasked with taking care of their children and ensuring their properties are safe and orderly.
• Women are worried on the poor state of the facilities in their designated evacuation centers.
(Sources: NDRRMC, Manila Bullettin, LCDE Situation Report)
Emergency Response Efforts
• On May 15, CDRC started releasing its Situation Reports.
• LCDE also submitted its Situation Report.
Resources Available
• Standby emergency funds
• Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
Expressed Needs
• Immediate needs of the survivors include hygiene kits, water, medicine, cash, shelter kit, food, and psychosocial support to both children and adults.
Coordination
Regional Center
• Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center (STPRC)
• Leyte Center for Development (LCDE)
• Tarabang para sa Bicol (TABI)
Contacts
• Kim Augiline Leduna, Executive Director, (insert cellphone number), info@cdrc-phil.com
• Malen Serato, Field Operations Department, 0916-499-1410, fod@cdrc-phil.com
• Hanna Fiel, Research and Public Information Department, 0945-8355589, hanna.fiel.cdrc2019@gmail.com
• Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0949-845-1271, lpd@cdrc-phil.com