In response to the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Uwan, the provincial government of Aurora has officially declared a state of calamity to accelerate recovery efforts across the region. The declaration comes as damage assessments reveal widespread destruction to infrastructure, tourism, and agriculture.
Massive Damage Assessment
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported staggering damage figures totaling P751 million across multiple sectors. Infrastructure suffered the heaviest blow at P349 million, while tourism incurred P316 million in damages and agriculture recorded P86 million in losses following the storm that hit Luzon on November 9.
Governor Isidro Galban signed Resolution No. 188, Series of 2025 on November 12, following recommendations from the PDRRMC and approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. This critical declaration enables the provincial government and affected local units to mobilize calamity funds, implement price controls on essential goods, and speed up response and rehabilitation operations in the hardest-hit areas.
Housing and Infrastructure Impact
The super typhoon's fury left a trail of destruction in residential areas, with 3,974 houses damaged across coastal municipalities. The breakdown shows 687 homes completely destroyed and 3,287 partially damaged, primarily in the towns of Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag.
Transportation infrastructure also suffered significant disruption. Clearing operations continue along the vital Baler-Casiguran Road, where debris and soil erosion have reduced traffic to a single lane in several sections. Power restoration remains a priority, with complete outages continuing in Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag since Sunday, though partial electricity has been restored in Baler and San Luis.
Government Relief Operations
Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified relief delivery to affected families. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian convened with local officials and national agencies to coordinate the immediate distribution of assistance and assess community needs.
The relief effort has already distributed approximately 25,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) to impacted municipalities, with another 25,000 FFPs scheduled to arrive in the coming days. The provincial government has additionally provided food packs to 926 families in the most severely affected barangays.
In Dipaculao town, emergency support extended beyond food, with 500 families receiving hot meals, sleeping kits, kitchen tools, and hygiene kits. The DSWD also announced financial assistance for households affected by property damage, offering P10,000 for totally damaged houses and P5,000 for partially damaged homes.
Despite the extensive property damage, the provincial government confirmed that no casualties were reported from the typhoon. Governor Galban emphasized the administration's commitment to both immediate relief and long-term recovery, vowing that rehabilitation efforts will continue until all affected communities are fully restored.
Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperative as Aurora province begins the challenging journey toward complete recovery from Super Typhoon Uwan's destructive path.
