NDRRMC: Flood death toll rises to 57; 32 missing

The death toll from floods that hit parts of the country since early January rose to 57 Wednesday, even as 32 others remained missing. In its 6 a.m. update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the latest fatalities were from Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. Among the four latest fatalities was an 89-year-old woman. The four were identified as: * Eustaquio Deacles, 83, of Brgy II, Maslog, Eastern Samar (drowning); * Balvina Herbosa, 89, of Brgy Malugo, Can-Ivid, Eastern Samar (drowning); * Richard Jarito Acibar, 27, of Brgy Anecita, Pambujan, Northern Samar (drowning); and * Elaine May Iligan, 13, of Brgy Darong, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur (drowning). At least 10 were reported injured, including Emma Bonaoy, 30; and Jonathan Paklipan, 34, of Darong village in Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur. Still missing are 32 people, including five fishermen from Quezon province. Their boat left Burdeous town last Jan. 15, bound for Polilio Island. Two were rescued but five remained missing. The NDRRMC also said a fishing vessel, "Finely," was half-submerged 13 nautical miles off Diapila Island in Palawan province, with 29 surviving fishermen on board. Some of those still missing are: * Fishermen Danny Susia, Ronald Gullas, Jommel Peranti, Wilfred Navales and Elmer Lupison of the motor banca Jener, missing since Tuesday; * Fishermen Ronald Belando, Sonny Isodo, Jayson Lagora, Choy Logronio, Pedro Lopez, Presco Manlacap, Jeffred Ricafort and Boboy Veraña of Gaboc village in Mercedes, Camarines Norte * Fisherman Roberto Villar of Tambungon, Viga, Catanduanes; * Fisherman Nestor Banzuelo, 55, of Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte; and * Marito Cadoma, 54; Jean Clara, 22; and Alma Isidro of Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur, whose houses were hit by flash floods. The NDRRMC said the floods and landslides have affected at least 323,149 families or 1,650,754 people in 1,823 villages in 162 towns and 17 cities in 25 provinces. Some 12,523 families or 61,054 people are housed in 74 evacuation centers. At least 395 houses were destroyed while 1,902 were damaged. Damage to property was estimated at P1.341 billion, including P422.228 million in agriculture and P1.784 billion in infrastructure. Flood incidents The NDRRMC also said flood-prone towns in Eastern Samar have been experiencing brownouts since Monday, while Hindag-an village in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte incurred a road slip. Clearing operations are ongoing. Roads in Inagawan village in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan are not passable to light vehicles due to floodwaters. Also, the water level of Binahaan watershed in Leyte is on Alert Level, affecting the towns of Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan and Palo. In Lanao del Norte in Mindanao, one protection dike in Looc, Catarman in Camiguin, was damaged while two seawall dikes (cracked and scoured); gravel based road (washed-out) and earth road (eroded) in Poblacion Tubod were damaged due to flooding. A copra dryer, poultry cage and sari-sari store in Tubod were washed out. In Misamis Occidental, also in Mindanao, a footbridge in Ozamiz City was totally destroyed and a sea wall in Aloran was damaged. In Davao del Sur, a flash flood hit Brgy. Darong, Sta. Cruz due to heavy downpour and high tide, causing the overflow of Sibulan River. At least 80 families were brought to the village hall and chapel and to Almendras Gymnasium. In Cebu (Central Visayas), flooding hit Poblacion II and III in Carcar town, affecting 50 families. Sherwin Tejada was reported missing. In Bohol (also in Central Visayas), water was released from Ewon Hydro Dam in Ewon and the Hanopol Hydro Dam in Hanopol village. Both dams are in Sevilla town. The villages of Bugang, Cambagay, Napo, Camba in Alicia town; and Canawa and Cambani in Candijay town were heavily flooded. Landslides In Southern Leyte, a landslide hit and isolated Camang, Pinut-an, Esperanza, Bila-tan, Looc and Kinachawa in San Ricardo, preventing vehicles from passing through the area. A wooden bridge in Pinut-an village was washed out while Bila-tan Bridge was partially damaged. In Davao Oriental in Mindanao, a landslide hit Boston town Monday due to heavy rains. In Maguindanao, 9,388 families in 10 villages in Sultan Kudarat town were affected. The Education Department in Caraga Region suspended classes in preschool and elementary levels in Butuan City, Surigao City and Surigao del Norte. In Siquijor Island in Visayas, 21 diarrhea cases were reported in San Enrique town from Jan. 13 to 18. — LBG, GMANews.TV