SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Super typhoon “Paeng” exacted only minimal damages in the Ilocos region, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) here said on Tuesday.

Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, RDCC chairman, said based on reports by provincial development coordinating councils (PDCCs), no big damage was noted anywhere in the region as a result of the howler.

He, however, apologized to motorists and travelers because at the height of Super typhoon “Paeng”, the police stopped them at various checkpoints to and from the region for their own safety.

As a result, some motorists and travelers going to and coming from different destinations were stranded by about a few hours.

Bataoil said that this was in response to the order of Police Director General Oscar Calderon as the PNP was very much concerned about the safety of all people traveling at the height of the typhoon.

Bataoil had linked up with the police regional offices in Region 3 and the Cordilleras implementing the order of the PNP chief.

Bataoil congratulated all agencies of the government in the Ilocos for making available their equipment, resources and manpower at the disposal of the RDCC when the super typhoon struck.

In Pangasinan, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council headed by Gov. Victor Agbayani also reported only minimal losses in agriculture as a result of the typhoon.

Partial damages in Pangasinan included some 5,000 mango trees that were downed by the howler, and some standing rice, corn and high-valued crops that were destroyed.

A family of 10 from sitio Patalan in barangay Bacayao Sur, Dagupan City was rendered homeless when their house was blown away by a baby tornado that struck Monday morning.

Acting Dagupan City Mayor Alvin Fernandez said no flood was noted in Dagupan, even in low-lying areas.