Typhoon Odette ravages the Philippines, leaves over 300 Dead

In light of the recent typhoon Odette, the Philippine government has been given access to a $500 million credit line from the World Bank. DOF Secretary Carlos Domingues III said that “Funding for rehab after the typhoon is assured from the recently signed $500-million loan from the World Bank. Upon declaration of [a] state of national calamity required funds will be immediately drawn.”

Referring to the World Bank’s policy approved last Nov 17, the funds allow the country to deal with catastrophes more easily. Now considered as a super-typhoon, “Odette” wreaked havoc on several provinces in Visayas and Mindanao. The destruction caused President Duterte to promise an allocation of P4 billion for relief and reconstruction efforts in the affected regions.

The World Bank said that the entire loan amount will be available for three years after the project is completed.

“This gives the government access to immediate liquidity to better manage the cost of shocks and protect the Filipino population. The government can renew this line of protection with the World Bank for up to a total period of 15 years,” it stressed.

“The declaration of the state of calamity will hasten the rescue and relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector,” Duterte said during his Talk to the People.

“This will also be an effective mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the areas,” he added.

Currently, the Philippine National Police has recorded a death toll of 375 throughout six regional offices. The regional police of Central Visayas were the most affected with a death count of 170 individuals. However, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Rhoderick Alba, carefully pointed out that fatality figures are still up for validation.

In terms of damages, the NDRRMC reported Monday that over 5,390 hectares of agriculture were damaged as well as 3,803 houses. The typhoon also caused power outages in over 200 cities and municipalities in the Miropa Region, in the Visayas, and Northern Mindanao, the Davao region, CARAGA, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Around 100,000 individuals have been left without shelter or are still hoping to gain shelter in evacuation centers, according to the PNP’s tally.

Source: Philstar, The Manila Times, Inquirer