‘Pepeng’ death toll now 23 - NDCC

The death toll from tropical cyclone "Pepeng" (international name Parma) went up to 23 as of Thursday night, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. In its 6 p.m. report, the NDCC said the fatalities included four in Pangasinan, 10 in Benguet, and two each in Ifugao and Camarines Sur. One fatality was also reported each in Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Nueva Ecija. At least five were reported injured while seven remained missing: five in Pangasinan and one each in Benguet and Ilocos Norte. While it has weakened into a tropical depression since last weekend, "Pepeng" made a third landfall in Cagayan province Thursday noon. The NDCC report said "Pepeng" has so far affected 234,232 families or 1,053,325 people in 2,152 villages in 242 towns and 26 cities in 26 provinces in Luzon, Western Visayas, Cordillera, and Metro Manila. Of these, 8,614 families or 38,829 people were staying in 162 evacuation centers. Damage to property stood at P1.958 billion, including P1.670 billion in agriculture, P286.17 million in infrastructure, and P2.77 million in private properties. At least 1,085 houses were destroyed while 9,090 were damaged.

Meanwhile, the NDCC reported flooding in at least seven villages in Dingras, Nueva Era and Paoay towns in Ilocos Norte; six villages in Bangar and Luna in La Union; and 42 villages in Bautista, Binalonan, Calasiao, Rosales, San Manuel, Sta. Barbara, Tayug and Dagupan City in Pangasinan. Likewise flooded were Baliwag and Calumpit in Bulacan, Sta. Ana in Pampanga, and Botolan in Zambales. Evacuation centers in Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Baguio City and Benguet were reopened Wednesday night. Preemptive evacuation is ongoing in Nueva Ecija's Gapan and Cabanatuan Cities; Licab, Zaragoza, Rizal, Quezon, Allaga and San Isidro towns, all of which are near the dam. Similar evacuation is also ongoing in towns near the Pampanga River Basin, including Candaba, Arayat, San Simon, Apalit and Santo Tomas. - GMANews.TV