APAYAO– The province of Apayao has been placed under a state of calamity amid the devastation caused by super typhoon Lawin.

A total of 8,250 residents were affected while more than 400 houses were damaged. The damage to rice, corn and banana crops has amounted to around P2.06 million.

According to Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr., they need calamity funds for the agriculture sector, which is the main source of livelihood in the province.

“Kailangan natin mag-declare ng state of calamity para kung sakali, ma-release ‘yung funding to support especially ‘yung affected farmers,” Bulut said.

(We need to declare a state of calamity just in case they release the funding to support the affected farmers.)

As of Friday, Kabugao-Pudtol-Luna road, Conner-Kabugao road, Kabugao-Solsona road, Claveria-Calanasan road and Apayao-Ilocos norte road were still closed to traffic due to rock slides and damaged road.

There were no reported casualties in the towns of Flora, Luna, Pudtol and Sta. Marcela.

The Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council has yet to confirm casualties in Calanasan, Conner and Kabugao towns. Communication lines to the said areas have not yet been restored.

Power supply in the whole province has yet to be restored as well.