THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday reported three more deaths due to super typhoon “Pepito,” bringing the death toll to 12 people.
“They were hit by debris,” said NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno of the three fatalities recorded in Dipaculao town in Aurora.
A situation report from the NDRRMC said two of the victims were males aged 78 and 50 while the third fatality was a 45-year-old female.
Pepito made a second landfall in Dipaculao town last Sunday, a day after its first landfall in Panganiban town in Catanduanes.
The NDRRMC previously reported nine deaths due to Pepito all due to landslides — seven in Ambaguio town in Nueva Vizcaya and two in Asipulo town in Ifugao.
The NDRRMC said Pepito and past tropical cyclones “Ofel” and “Nika” have affected 939,936 families or 3,507,920 individuals in 6,356 barangays in seven regions.
Of the number, 491,141 families (1,764,509 individuals) were displaced. As of yesterday, the number was down to 121,887 families (429,852 individuals), the NDRRMC said.
The three weather disturbances damaged 51,921 houses in six regions, the NDRRMC said.
The initial cost of damage to infrastructure was placed at P2.03 billion while the cost of damage to agriculture was pegged at P29.50 million.
The NDRRMC also said 29 cities and municipalities in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera Administrative Region are under a state of calamity.
Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday led the administration’s “Tabang Bikol-Tindog Oragon” relief operation, distributing P850 million worth of aid for over 170,000 victims of Pepito and typhoon “Kristine” in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay in the Bicol region.
“This united effort is a testament to the resilience and bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people. As we rebuild lives and communities, let us continue to work hand-in-hand for a stronger and more prepared nation. Rest assured, your government remains steadfast in providing support and hope during these trying times,” the Speaker said.
Last Monday, a convoy of 24 trucks carrying food, hygiene kits, clothing and other essential items gathered from a nationwide donation drive left the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City to deliver aid to the affected communities in Bicol.
The first leg of the Tabang Bikol-Tindog Oragon kicked off yesterday morning at Plaza Rizal in Virac, Catanduanes where P100 million in cash assistance was given away to some 20,000 beneficiaries.
Also included in the aid package were 10,000 packs of relief goods and 140,000 kg. of rice and housing materials to help 950 families repair their houses.
The relief operation’s focal point for Albay was at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City.
The relief operations for Camarines Sur was held at the Jessie Robredo Coliseum in Naga City, with P125 million in cash assistance earmarked for over 25,000 beneficiaries, as well as 75,000 kg. of rice and housing materials distributed to 50 families.
An aid caravan was held at the Ka-Fuerte Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur for the distribution of P164 million in cash assistance and 132,000 kg. of rice for around 34,000 beneficiaries. – With Wendell Vigilia
