With the official death toll now at more than 5,000, so much effort is still required to determine the real extent of damage wrought by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

 

In Iloilo province (population: 1.8 million as per NSO 2010), provincial administrator Raul Banias said food and other relief goods would be needed for at least two to three more weeks.

 

The coastal town of Estancia is not only reeling from Yolanda’s wrath. Its coastal area has been threatened by oil slick after a power barge destroyed by strong winds caused 200,000 liters of bunker fuel to leak into its waters.

 

Reports said the leaked fuel is already finding its way to nearby Barangay (village) Bontongon and neighboring Batad town.

 

The egg supply in the Visayas-Mindanao area may be in short supply following the destruction in the towns of Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos in Bantayan Island.

 

Apart from being known as the egg basket of the south, Bantayan Island is also famed for its white beaches.

 

Yolanda’s visit means both its tourism and egg industries are now suffering.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) placed agricultural damage in Capiz province (population: 719k as per NSO 2010) at P697 million after the supply of crabs and prawns in what is considered as the country’s seafood capital also suffered during the superstorm.

 

Fish shortage

 

In Pontevedra town, residents warn of a fish shortage that would be felt right around Christmastime.

 

Worse, there are reports that no one is buying fish for fear that the animals fed on cadavers.

 

Olotayan Island, dubbed Little Boracay by the locals, has been reduced into a heap of “toppled banana trees, collapsed nipa huts and wrecked fishing boats” along the shoreline, according to Inquirer correspondent Maricar Cinco.

 

Olotayan is not even on the map of Roxas City and is difficult to reach since nearly all boats on the island were damaged by the typhoon.  Residents rely on limited water and food rations.

 

Hardest-hit in Antique province were Batbatan and Maniguin Islands in Culasi, and Sibay island in Caluya where almost all houses and boats were destroyed.

 

In Eastern Samar (population: 428k as per NSO 2010), Rep. Benjamin Evardone said only eight of the 24 municipalities ravaged by the superstorm have been reached by aid as of early last week.

 

Meanwhile, 80 percent of the province’s coconut trees, the base of the region’s economy, have been destroyed.

 

Evardone said it would take three to five years for coconut saplings to bear fruit.

 

NDRRMC reports said affected towns in Eastern Samar include San Policarpio, Can Avid, San Juan, Maydolong, Balankayan, Hernani, Gen. McArthur, Quinapondan, Mercedes, Salcedo, Guiuan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Maslog, Homonhon and Lawaan. Borongan City also suffered damage.

 

Media reports have enumerated Allen in Northern Samar (provincial population: 589k as per NSO 2010) and Biliran Island (population: 161k as per NSO 2010) among areas where damage was also noted.

 

Recorded deaths in Basey town in Samar province totaled 190, based on NDRRMC figures.

 

Coconut trees

 

Survivors, however, maintained the real figure could reach 300 as there was “no warning about the storm surge impact” reaching their area.

 

It took a week before medical supplies and food came to the province’s Marabut town that faces San Pedro and San Pablo Bay from Tacloban City.

 

Mayor Percival Ortillo Jr. said it would take the town’s coconut and palm trees five to 20 years to grow back.

 

Apart from Tacloban City, other towns in Leyte province (population 1.567 million as per NSO 2010) damaged by Yolanda include Barugo, Carigara, Calubian, Tabango, Villaba, Alangalang, Malog-ob, Albuera, Burauen, Baybay, Jaro, Dagami, Tabontabon, Julita, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and Dulag, Abuyog City and Ormoc City.

 

“Early assessments” made by United Nations workers indicate that around 5.1 million workers in 36 provinces have been affected by loss of livelihood because of the supertyphoon.

 

Up to 10 million people from the Calabarzon in Luzon to the Caraga area in Mindanao could be affected, with nearly 4 million rendered homeless.

 

Malacañang said damage to infrastructure could reach P1.25 billion, while nationwide cost to agriculture is pegged at P9.08 billion.