BEFORE & AFTER: Typhoon Odette's aftermath in Siargao, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan
Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) has devastated thousands as the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this 2021.
The storm made landfall nine times starting from the famous tourist island of Siargao. It left hundreds of thousands affected, at least 200 people dead, and several areas without power and communications a few days before Christmas.
Besides Siargao, here are other tourist locations in Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan that were battered by the typhoon.
Siargao
In a series of Instagram Stories, beauty queen and model Katarina Rodriguez expressed her distress over the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in Siargao's popular tourist spots.
The seaside spot Faheyeh Bar along General Luna, which is a major road in Siargao, is currently in ruins after the supertyphoon.
Isla Cabana
Isla Cabana Resort is considered one of the most popular hostels for tourists since it's housed in a convenient location. It's also known for its seafood restaurant packed with special lunches and diet cuisine.
Hang Loose Hostel
Rodriguez also showed the aftermath of Typhoon Odette on Hang Loose Hostel where the entire structure was leveled by the storm.
Chest Tattoo, General Luna
In Rodriguez's Instagram Story, the damage to Chest Tattoo could also be seen.
Boyum’s Surf Camp and Resort
Rodriguez also expressed her "heartbreak" over Boyum's Surf Camp and Resort, which was named after the local no-melt chocolate. The surfing camp is popular for its rich and intriguing back story, and is known as having one of the best spots in Siargao.
Siargao Isla Bonita
Siargao Isla Bonita is almost unrecognizable as the beach resort lay in disarray. Rodriguez shared this spot is home to several souvenir stores along the area
Little Nap Inn
Apartment-style hostel Little Nap Inn has also been ravaged by the supertyphoon Odette. According to Rodriguez, the inn houses the popular dessert shop Buonana.
In an Instagram post, Director Pepe Diokno also mourned over the destruction of Coconut Road in Pacifico, Siargao. Diokno said the road is currently "impassable for vehicles," while some towns up north are "cut off from essentials."
Meanwhile, Facebook user Liam Nuzum said phone lines and other forms of communication in Siargao "have been down and no one has been able to make contact" amid Typhoon Odette.
Cebu
Cebu is also one of the heavily affected tourist destination areas. As of Monday, Dec. 20, the death toll has reached 68, with fatalities—majority of them were due to falling debris—recorded in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City as well as Alegria, Badian, Moalboal, and Pinamungajan, among others.
On Friday, Dec. 17, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued Executive Order No. 48, declaring a state of calamity in the entire province.
Here are a number of locations in Cebu that show how destructive typhoon Odette was.
Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
SM Seaside City Cebu
Super Metro Cebu City
Mactan Air Base
Bohol
Known for its abundant beaches and resorts, diving spots, rolling Chocolate Hills, and the Philippine-endemic tarsiers, Bohol is also among the places hit hardest by Odette.
Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap shared an aerial view of the trail of destruction that Odette left in its wake.
On his official Facebook account, Yap announced that as of Dec. 19, 7:00 pm, there were 74 casualties in the province.
Yap said the figure came from partial reports of 42 out of 48 local government units.
Gov. Yap appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for hundreds of generators to help deal with Odette's aftermath. In addition, Bohol is also dealing with a critical shortage in potable water according to Yap.
Duterte vowed to provide P2 billion in assistance to Bohol. The National Housing Authority, meanwhile, would provide typhoon victims P5,000 to P30,000 in shelter assistance, depending on the severity of the damage.
Palawan
Though Odette slightly weakened as it made landfall over the Palawan municipality at 3:10 PM, the Luzon island was also devastated by the last leg of the surging storm. Philstar.com editor Jonathan de Santos shared on Twitter photos of Odette's destruction in Palawan.
Typhoon 'Odette' also toppled trees and electric posts in San Vicente in Palawan, where residents now have no power and no running water.
— Jonathan de Santos (@desamting) December 19, 2021
Mobile signal is spotty and weak. "Durog ang Sanvic," a resident says | ?: Victor Panilio @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/5EdyDDP9Gl
A number of netizens have also been calling for attention to be put to Palawan as well, with the hashtags #RescuePalawan and #PalawanNeedsHelp trending on social media.
According to Puerto Princesa-based Palawaneño Karen May Tabon, the cities of Bacungan, Napsan, Sta. Monica, Sicsican and Tagburos are the most affected. Meanwhile, Narra, Quezon, and Aborlan still do not have signals in their areas.
Facebook user John Mark Buñag is also one of the residents who gave an update about the passageways from Roxas, Palawan, which remain almost unpassable.