Damage in Odette-hit Bohol to reach ₱5 billion

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) — Typhoon Odette has caused up to ₱5 billion in damage in Bohol, following two successive landfalls in the province, the top provincial official said on Friday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap said that total damage is so far pegged at ₱3 to 4 billion, with losses in infrastructure not included.

"I think, for Bohol, this is going to be five billion," he said. "Because just for the number of families that were evacuated last night and the people we need to save right now, and the amount of assistance to cushion all these shock in the ground, the tab is already running from three to four billion. So, what about other infrastructure damages?"

"We need to marshal all support from our multilateral partners and the national government — whatever [they] can do at this point in time," Yap added.

On Thursday, Odette made its fifth and sixth landfalls in Pres. Carlos P. Garcia town at 6:30 p.m. and Bien Unido at 7:30 p.m., respectively.

Yap said about 20,000 families were evacuated on the same night, which may have doubled by now.

He appealed to the national government for assistance, saying the scale of devastation was "really unprecedented."

"Here on the ground, we're doing our best, but we're asking for national government support," Yap said.

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA cited that Odette is forecast to make another landfall in the vicinity of the northern or central portion of Palawan on Friday morning or afternoon.