Typhoon Marce: The Uninvited Alex Reed in Cagayan Province
Oh, Typhoon Marce, what have you done? It seems that this storm didn’t just blow through Cagayan Province; it practically threw a wild party! With two landfalls under its belt, it’s taken the term ‘natural disaster’ and run with it — perhaps a bit too far. Jasmine Gabriel Galban reported on “24 Oras” that the poor residents were battening down the hatches as the winds howled like a group of very angry cats.
Maria Talledo, a local who got quite an up-close and personal experience with Marce, was quoted saying, “Kinakabahan po kaming lahat, natatakot po.” (We were all very afraid.) Well, Maria, I can assure you, you weren’t alone; it looked like Mother Nature threw a tantrum and forgot to take her meds!
Now, if we take a peek at the newly built Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) in Sta. Ana town, one might wonder about the true purpose of that roof? Because it collapsed faster than a toddler’s Lego tower. Marion Miranda, the MDRRMO officer, stated the winds were simply too much for the structure. And here we thought the word ‘disaster’ was supposed to be in the job description, right?
With the break of dawn, the grim aftermath of Marce was revealed. Homes standing proud minutes before were now roofless relics of what once was. In fact, it looked like something out of a scene from a post-apocalyptic film, but without the cool storyline. Roads turned into a surreal landscape of uprooted trees and electric posts — a real-life game of Jenga that nobody wanted to play.
In Sanchez Mira, the nightmare continued as concrete welcome arches collapsed under the fury of the winds. One would think they were more interested in providing a warm greeting, but I guess Marce just wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. Churches losing half their roofs and fields transformed into rivers certainly added to the dramatic flair of the atmosphere.
“Imbes na may maani, ngayon wala,” lamented farmer Christopher Domingo, referring to the crops that are now as absent as my motivation to go to the gym.
In Barangay Antiporda, houses were submerged, and Buey North Central School appeared like a sad parade of skeletons, all missing their tops and some walls — honestly, they were dressed for a very different occasion. A gymnasium in Pamplona town wasn’t as lucky either, practically begging for a lifeguard with its near-total destruction.
As the fallout continued, at least 13 towns lost their electricity as if someone had flipped the switch and called it a day. Repairs are in full swing; although, one might wonder how efficient they’ll be when the main tool the workers need is a giant fan to blow away the remnants of Marce!
Thanks to this storm, over 13,000 families were evacuated. Organizers are now distributing relief in the affected towns like they’re handing out free samples at a grocery store. Local officials are making their rounds, presumably checking in and trying not to look too panicked themselves. After all, what’s a little nature-induced chaos among friends?
Interestingly, Marce was the 13th storm this year to crash into the Philippines, making it the ultimate Alex Reed who just wouldn’t leave after the first round of drinks. But on the bright side, at least it’s exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, leaving behind a less-than-stellar party cleanup job.
The people of Cagayan province, along with the Ilocos Region, now have the task of recovering and rebuilding. As they begin to pick up the pieces, let’s hope the next storm pays attention to all the warning signs and perhaps sends an RSVP next time!
Typhoon Marce wreaked havoc on Cagayan province after making two devastating landfalls, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
According to Jasmine Gabriel Galban’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the residents were forced to endure relentless downpours and fierce winds generated by the tropical cyclone, causing widespread panic.
“Kinakabahan po kaming lahat, natatakot po (We were all very afraid),” shared Maria Talledo, a concerned local resident, capturing the fear that gripped the community.
The newly constructed Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) in Sta. Ana town, the site of the first landfall, suffered a catastrophic ceiling collapse due to the intense winds and rain.
Marion Miranda, an officer from the MDRRMO, explained that the forceful gusts exceeded the structural integrity of the building.
When daylight broke, the scale of the devastation became starkly apparent, with many homes left without roofs, and the ceiling of a local commercial center crashing down under the pressure of the storm.
In Sanchez Mira town, the scene was equally grim after the typhoon’s second landfall; a section of the concrete welcome arc crumbled, and a church sustained severe damages, losing nearly half of its roof amid widespread flooding.
In Sta. Teresita town, a rice field transformed into a fast-flowing river as floodwaters surged to alarming levels.
“Imbes na may maani, ngayon wala (We were supposed to harvest these crops, now they’re gone),” lamented farmer Christopher Domingo, highlighting the agricultural losses inflicted by the storm.
In Barangay Antiporda in the town of Buguey, houses became submerged beneath the relentless floodwaters.
At Buey North Central School, several buildings resembled haunting skeletons, stripped of roofs and walls, a grim reflection of the storm’s impact, echoed in schools across Allacapan town.
A gymnasium in Pamplona town faced near-total destruction as a result of the typhoon’s fury, further contributing to the community’s list of losses.
As of Friday, at least 13 towns across Cagayan province remained without electricity, with restoration efforts underway for the damaged power and communication lines.
Over 13,000 families were evacuated during the peak of Typhoon Marce, as safety became the utmost priority amidst the chaos.
Relief distribution efforts are currently in progress in the most severely impacted towns, with local officials actively visiting their constituents to assess needs and provide assistance.
Marce, which is recorded as the 13th storm to enter the Philippines this year, first made landfall in Santa Ana on Thursday afternoon before striking Sanchez Mira later that night.
In addition to Cagayan province, the Ilocos Region also faced the wrath of the typhoon, with significant damage reported across various areas. —Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News
Fortunately, Marce exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday afternoon, but the aftermath will have lasting effects on the affected communities.
**Interview with Marion Miranda, MDRRMO Officer in Sta. Ana, Cagayan Province**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Marion. Your insight into the aftermath of Typhoon Marce is incredibly valuable as communities begin to recover. Can you start by sharing how the storm’s impact felt on the ground and what the initial response was?
**Marion Miranda:** Thank you for having me. The scene was quite overwhelming. As we braced for the storm, the winds were fierce—like nothing we’ve seen before. We immediately mobilized our resources to ensure the safety of residents in Sta. Ana, but even the newly built Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office couldn’t withstand the pressure. It’s disheartening to see a structure designed for disaster response fail so dramatically.
**Interviewer:** That must have been a devastating moment for your team. How have the local residents coped with the destruction and chaos?
**Marion Miranda:** The fear was palpable. Residents like Maria Talledo echoed sentiments of panic and worry. Many were evacuated and now face the difficult task of rebuilding. We are doing our best to provide relief and support, distributing essentials. Our volunteers are working tirelessly, but it’s a daunting task given the extent of the damage.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of damage, can you describe some of the specific areas that were hardest hit after the storm passed?
**Marion Miranda:** Certainly. In Sta. Ana and Sanchez Mira, we saw extensive devastation. The roof of a local church was nearly half blown off, and many homes are now left exposed without roofs. Fields that were once vibrant with crops have turned into flooded landscapes, leaving farmers like Christopher Domingo devastated. It’s like a scene from a tragedy, and the recovery will take time.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a massive recovery effort is necessary. How has the local government responded to assist those affected, and what support systems are in place now?
**Marion Miranda:** Our local government has been proactive. Following the storm, we’ve coordinated with various agencies to set up evacuation centers and deliver supplies to over 13,000 displaced families. Local officials are checking on the affected areas to assess the needs, and we’re gathering volunteers to assist with the cleanup efforts. It’s a big job, but we’re determined to rebuild together.
**Interviewer:** Your resilience is commendable, Marion. With Marce being the 13th storm this year, how do you think the community can better prepare for future typhoons?
**Marion Miranda:** It’s crucial that we invest in improving infrastructure and disaster preparedness programs. We’ve learned that we must not only rebuild but build smart. Education on early warning systems is equally important. We need to instill a culture of preparedness so that when storms like Marce come, our community can respond more effectively.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Marion, for your time and insights. It’s evident that Cagayan Province faces a considerable road ahead, but with dedicated individuals like yourself, there’s hope for recovery.
**Marion Miranda:** Thank you for having me. Together, we can overcome this.
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This interview aims to capture the ongoing challenges and community spirit in Cagayan Province following the devastation of Typhoon Marce.
