Death toll from North Luzon floods rises to 12

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from flash floods in low-lying areas in North and Central Luzon and in Mindanao rose to 12 as of Wednesday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. NDCC said at least six persons remain missing, three of them in Isabela and three in Aurora, while damage to property had gone up to P298 million in three regions alone. "A total of 12 persons were reported dead: seven in Cagayan and four in Isabela and one in Aurora," the NDCC said in its progress report dated Wednesday. The dead from Cagayan province were identified as Leoterio Badajos, 54 (Tuguegarao City), Joshua Barcellano, 1 (Claveria), Mariano Danga, 25 (Tuao), Virgilio Sorquiano, 51 (Baculud, Iguig), Saturnina Salvador, 61 (Amulung), Rogelio Cabildo, 3 (Alcala), and Jose Lunnay, 38 (Atulayan Sur, Tuguegarao City). Cabildo died from severe dehydration, while the others drowned. Fatalities from Isabela included Eduardo Maralli, 13 (Delena, San Pablo), Arnel Massido, 18 (Sam Mariano), Epifania Bangan, 35 (San Pablo), and Reynaldo Ochoa, 45 (Centro West, Palanan). All of them reportedly drowned. On the other hand, the lone fatality from Aurora was identified as Reynaldo Pasaque, 60 of Casiguran, who drowned. Missing were Melanio Pimentel, 54; Loreto Ilayat, 52; and Bondame, 22, of Ilagan in Isabela; and Rufino Cauyao, 64, of Manggitahan, Dilasag, Aurora; Nito Rivera, 45, of Dilaguldi, Dilasag, Aurora; and Reynaldo Reguyal of Esperanza, Casiguran, Aurora. NDCC said the floods had affected at least 70,110 families or 333,787 persons in 505 villages in 34 towns and two cities in Cagayan and Isabela in Cagayan Valley; Aurora in Central Luzon; Kalinga in Cordillera; and Davao del Norte in Region 11. Of those affected, at least 111 families or 560 persons remain in four evacuation centers in Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dilasag in Aurora province. Estimated damage to agriculture in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera amounted to P298 million, including P147.9 million for agriculture and P150.4 million for infrastructure. At least 107 schoolbuildings were damaged, including 85 elementary schools and 22 high schools. The education department estimated P71.144 million in damage to schools and classrooms, including furniture, textbooks, and computers. On the other hand, at least four road sections remained impassable, two of them in Cagayan Valley and two in Central Luzon. In Cordillera, the Mt. Province-Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Calaccad Road remained closed to traffic due to landslide. In Cagayan Valley, the Cagayan III-Tuao-Orag Bridge Approach and Gagayan-Apayao Road were partly passable but Penablanca-Calao Cave Road was not passable. In Isabela, the Cabagan-Sta Maria Road was not passable. In Aurora, the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road was passable to light vehicles only, while parts of the Baler-Casiguran Road were not passable. - GMANews.TV