Death Toll from Cyclones, Monsoon Hits 39; OCD Reports P9 Billion in Damages

The death toll from the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng, as well as the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, has risen to 39, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday. In its report as of 6 a.m., the OCD said Benguet recorded the highest number of fatalities at 15, including 10 in Baguio City, two in La Trinidad, and three in Atok, all due to landslides. Rizal and Batangas each recorded four deaths. In Rizal, two people died due to a rockslide in Rodriguez, one due to a fallen tree in Antipolo, and one due to drowning in Binangonan. In Batangas, one death each was recorded in Batangas City due to drowning, Lipa due to electrocution, Santa Teresita due to a landslide, and Mabini due to drowning. Zambales recorded three deaths, including two from a landslide in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on the Morong, Bataan side as well as one in Olongapo City. Caloocan also recorded three deaths, all due to drowning. Two deaths each were reported in Pampanga, Quezon, and Occidental Mindoro, while La Union, Pangasinan, Oriental Mindoro and Negros Occidental each recorded one fatality. The OCD also reported 20 injured persons and three people still missing. A total of 9.4 million people or 2.7 million families were affected by the weather disturbances in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, and Mimaropa. A total of 71,364 people or 20,279 families were staying inside 968 evacuation centers as flooding was reported in 711 areas. The OCD reported 3,900 damaged houses — 3,400 partially and 538 totally. Infrastructure damage has reached ₱6.27 billion, while agricultural damage was placed at ₱2.84 billion, according to the OCD. State of calamity has been declared in 178 cities and municipalities. The OCD said the government has provided around ₱1.85 billion worth of assistance to affected communities. — RSJ, GMA News