NDRRMC: Floods death toll rises to 42, damage breaches P1-B mark

The death toll from the floods and landslides that hit parts of the country in the last two weeks went up to at least 42 Thursday, even as the damage to property breached the P1-billion mark. In its 6 a.m. update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also said diseases continued to stalk the affected families. It identified the latest confirmed casualties as Jerry Soledad, 30; and Rannie Villar, 20, of Payo village in Panganiban town in Catanduanes province. Both died from drowning. The NDRRMC also said the Coast Guard in Virac (Bicol Region) recovered two bodies in Canlubi and Oga villages in Catanduanes. It did not yet include the two on the death-toll list. At least eight had been reported injured and five missing. Damage to property was estimated at P1,045,713,449.80 including P337,624,878.80 to agriculture; P687,092,271 to infrastructure; and P20,996,300 to private properties. The NDRRMC said the floods and landslides had affected 259,048 families or 1,340,015 people in 1,429 villages in 146 towns and 15 cities in 24 provinces. Caraga had the biggest affected population with 112,096 families or 601,804 people; followed by by Eastern Visayas with 66,341 families or 338,064 people; and Bicol with 40,202 families or 205,571 people. A total of 4,432 families or 22,226 people are being served in 97 evacuation centers. In Albay province, 37 evacuation centers are serving 2,405 families or 12,360 people in Bacacay, Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot, Manito and Sto. Domingo towns. In Eastern Visayas, 35 evacuation centers are serving 1,081 families or 4,820 people in Borongan and Maslog towns in Eastern Samar; and Bontoc, St. Bernard and Sogod towns in Southern Leyte. A total of 443 houses were destroyed while 919 were damaged. According to the NDRRMC, the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas has prepared a rehabilitation program to provide immediate relief through certified seeds. Suspended classes, stalking diseases The Department of Education directed local schools to suspend classes in the elementary and high school levels in areas adversely affected by floods and landslides. Meanwhile, diseases continued to stalk evacuees especially in Albay province in Bicol, the NDRRMC said. At least 718 medical cases were reported, including 334 upper respiratory tract infection; 58 headaches; 53 athlete’s foot; 16 fever, 38 asthma; 20 bronchitis; 12 arthritis; 14 urinary tract infection; three skin diseases; 16 open wounds; 12 vascular diseases; 30 hypertension cases; and 110 acute respiratory infection. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV