‘Santi’ death toll now 18 - NDCC

The death toll from tropical cyclone "Santi" (Mirinae) rose to 18 late Monday as initial damage to property was estimated at P183.5 million, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. In its 5 p.m. report, the NDCC said the 18 fatalities included a father and son initially reported missing after their car fell into the water when a bridge collapsed in Batangas. Romulo Soriano, 40, and his three-year-old son Nicolo were found dead two days after their white Honda Civic fell into the water after the Bridge of Promise in Batangas City collapsed at the height of then-typhoon "Santi." Soriano's wife Malou, 39, a health worker, had been rescued from the vehicle. Other fatalities were identified as Tirso Ramos, 59 (Cavite); Roderico Cabardo, 51, Edsel Loviña, 12, Margie Taliño, 8, and Julieta Zaguire (Laguna); Edwin Capayas, 42 (Quezon); Dodoy Delabajan, 25, and Vergel Zuniga (Rizal); Analiza dela Cruz, 35, Jose Eboña, 62, Flora Estacion, 64, Maria Ferrer, 93, Rodrigo Rodriguez, 64, Resco Rogelio, 63, Sarah Mae Vargas, 2 (Camarines Sur); and Louie Alano, 30 (Catanduanes). At least eight people were reported injured, including two each in Quezon and Batangas, one in Camarines Norte and one in Catanduanes.

The injured were identified as Malou Soriano, 39; Ronel Pasquin of Quezon; Edgardo Caraig of Batangas City; John Victor Macalalad, 4, of Lucena City; John Mar Agaton, 16, of Camarines Norte; and Maricel dela Rosa, 24, of Catanduanes. Still missing are Anthony Espidido of San Roque in Liliw, Laguna; and Victoria Delmoro, 79, of Perez, Quezon. At least 18,299 families or 91,526 people were affected in 409 villages of 15 cities and 76 towns in 14 provinces. Of these, 2,863 families or 13,335 people are staying in 70 evacuation centers. Damage to property was estimated at P183.5 million in Southern Luzon and Bicol alone, including P157.1 million in infrastructure and P19.9 million in agriculture. Some 1,989 houses were destroyed while 11,283 were damaged. Floodwaters remained in some areas of Pasig City, including parts of Sta. Lucia village, Tawi-Tawi, Arnel, New Society, VIlla Morales, and Bautista SUbdivisions. However, floods remained up to waist-deep levels in Laguna and Rizal provinces. Floods were chest-deep in Cainta town in Rizal. Power was 99 percent restored in Metro Manila, but there were power interruptions in Muntinlupa City near Laguna Lake and Caa village in Las Piñas City. Electricity however is yet to be restored in Jala-Jala and Pililla in Rizal; and in Mabitac and Santa Cruz in Laguna. In Bicol, power is still being restored in Paracale, Sta. Elena and Capalonga towns in Camarines Sur. The NDCC said the Patete-Pakil section and San Isidro Bridge in Laguna; Bridge of Promise and Colong-Colong Bridge; and Marikina-Infanta Road (Marcos Highway) third concrete bridge in Rizal are not passable. Also not passable is the Caramoran Peninsula Road in Camarines Sur. - GMANews.TV