THE death toll from the combined effects of tropical cyclones “Ofel,” “Nika,” and “Pepito” has increased to 13, with over 160,000 individuals still displaced, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.
The agency reported an additional fatality in Central Luzon but did not indicate the cause of death. It previously reported 12 deaths, all due to Pepito — seven from landslides in Nueva Vizcaya, three hit by debris in Aurora, and two due to landslides in Ifugao.
Fifteen were reported injured and three remain missing from the three weather disturbances, the NDRRMC said.
Ofel, Nika and Pepito has affected 1,142,532 families or 4,210,045 individuals in 7,710 barangays in eight regions, the NDRRMC said
Of the number, 592,858 families (2,132,204 individuals) were displaced though the number was already down to 47,111 families (167,798 individuals) as of yesterday, the NDRRMC also said.
The three tropical cyclones have “totally” and “partially” damaged 123,441 houses in six regions, the NDRRMC said.
This is on top of the damage to infrastructure and agriculture, placed at P2.48 million and P784.67 million, respectively, in six regions.
A total of 35 cities and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity in four regions, the NDRRMC said.
The NDRRMC also said some P360.8 million worth of assistance has been provided to 157,624 affected families. Of the amount, P182.88 million were provided to 80,441 families in Cagayan Valley.
Authorities have also transported some 5,000 food packs to Catanduanes which was severely affected by Pepito. Three thousand of the food packs were unloaded from a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Suluan, last Friday. Two thousand family food packs were flown to the province by two C-130 aircraft, the Philippine Air Force said.
One of the aircraft that took off from Pasay City, carrying 1,000 food packs, arrived in Catanduanes last Friday. The second plane, from Cebu, with another 1,000 food packs arrived in Catanduanes the following the day. A third C-130 aircraft from Cebu City also transported 200 water containers, 150 boxes of hygiene kits and 20 pails of hygiene supplies to the province also last Friday.
“These ongoing operations highlight the PAF’s steadfast commitment to disaster response, ensuring timely assistance to affected communities and reinforcing its role as a vital partner in the nation’s recovery efforts,” said Air Force spokeswoman Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Legazpi made an appeal to government.
“We acknowledge the significant rainfall and slow movement of the typhoons that caused extensive flooding. However, these effects were exacerbated by seemingly substandard infrastructures, misuse of public funds, and the dire consequences of uncontrolled quarry operations on the slopes of Mayon Volcano and other areas, as well as problematic road constructions throughout Albay province,” said the Legazpi diocese.
“Therefore, we appeal to our leaders – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the governor, congressmen, officials in local government units, and heads of national line agencies – to take urgent and necessary action in this regard… we respectfully but urgently call for greater accountability in government,” it added. – With Gerard Naval
