SUBSCRIBE2 weeks after supertyphon Reming, 3
From Tabaco City, I travelled to Legazpi since I had no choice. If I were to arrive in Naga the soonest, I have to take the Legazpi trip since the one via Tigaon is not frequent. When I reached Santo Domingo, I was just devastated. While the damage in Tabaco and Catanduanes were limited to property and infrastructure, I was never prepared with what happened in this area as well as in Daraga.
Of course, I heard about the mudslides via the news but being there, witnessing it was heartrending. In utter disbelief, I surveyed the area. Where once a thriving community of middle income families existed, was just a plain of dark brown sand with rocks and boulders throughout. Amongst the desolate landscape, parts of houses’ roofs stood out, jutting to remind the visitor of the calamity that befell this region.
Just across the road, while some houses were fortunate enough to have been spared with being covered by the lahar, these houses were clinging to the steep banks of newly formed rivers. Portions of the road has been washed out, cut deep. Looking at the people, an expression of helplessness and desperation.
While on my way to Naga, passing by Daraga is also the same situation. In the area going to the Cagsawa Ruins, where a small road diverts on a downward slope to the park, it is now a plain level with the main highway.
Really, the magnitude of the destruction is shocking.
