The provincial board of Benguet, citing massive damages to lives, crops, and properties inflicted by a series of typhoons, has declared the province last week under a state of calamity.

“This is to enable the provincial government to use funds in addressing the calamity brought about by typhoons Cosme, Frank, and Karen,” said acting vice governor and presiding     officer Rogelio Leon.

The resolution was approved by acting governor Cresencio Pacalso, in lieu of Gov. Nestor Fongwan who is on official visit to Canada.

Leon said that with the declaration, the provincial government would be able to use its calamity fund not exceeding P10 million for rehabilitation and assistance purposes.

A report submitted by Pacalso to the regional Office of Civil Defense placed at P66,259,673 the total estimated damages inflicted by typhoon Karen alone in the province of Benguet.

The report described the magnitude of disaster as province-wide, causing loss of lives and livestock and triggering massive slides and damages to roads, infrastructure, and crops.

The report also listed six casualties in landslides induced by typhoon Karen’s rains, namely Reggie Somera, Mark Lester Somera, and Alvin Somera who died when their house was crashed by a landslide in Barangay Ucab in Itogon. The other casualties were Arnold Attiw of Natubleng, Buguias; and Ernesto Peduca; and Alberto Caballero of Camp 3, Tuba.

Those injured were identified as Ben Donglal of Palina, Kibungan; and Roy Lingbanan of Catlubong, Buguias.

The report placed at P7,957,673 the total damages to crops and livestock.

Provincial roads were also hard-hit with damages estimated at P27.6 million while the damage to irrigation systems in the eight towns was placed at P12.5 M.

The typhoon also damaged, totally and partially, a total of 15 houses mostly in the towns of Itogon and Buguias. Two school-buildings in Mankayan were also damaged and need repair.

The typhoon did not spare waterworks, municipal and barangay roads, footbridges, and pathways.