Pinoy named CNN hero of the Year Typhoon deaths still rising
By ELENA L. ABEN
Manila Bulletin
October 12, 2009, 5:31pmThe collective death toll from storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” which devastated huge areas of Luzon in the past two weeks has reached 669, with 462 injured and 87 missing, authorities said Monday.
Damage to infrastructure and agriculture was also placed at more than P15 billion, with more reports still to come in.Field reports showed that the number of people who died from the onslaught of typhoon Pepeng (international codename Parma) now stands at 332.
The latest official report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) put the confirmed deaths only at 199, broken down as follows: 137 from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 53 from Region 1, four in Region 3, one in Region 4A, and four in Region 4B.
A report from the CAR-Office of Civil Defense, however, said there are now a total of 270 recorded deaths in the region, mostly coming from Benguet where massive landslides occurred due to heavy rains brought by Pepeng.
The CAR-OCD report showed that during the first wave of the onslaught of Pepeng on October 3, 19 people were killed, while during the second wave on October 8 and 9, at least 251 deaths have been recorded.
Officials said there are indications that the number of casualties would still go higher.
The death toll from Ondoy, according to the NDCC, was 337.
Meanwhile, the NDCC said damage to infrastructure cased by Pepeng has now reached P5.083 billion – P3.99 billion in agriculture and more than P1 billion in infrastructure.
For Ondoy, damage to infrastructure and agriculture was placed at P10.45 billion.
Reports further show floods continue to recede in many parts of Pangasinan, but several areas particularly in Pampanga and Bulacan remain submerged in deep flood waters.
In the Cordilleras, joint Philippine and US armed forces continue to airlift relief goods as major roads remain closed, except for Kennon Road which was partially opened to light vehicles effective Sunday.
NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. said clearing and rehabilitation efforts is now underway in affected roads, particularly Kennon, Marcos Highway, and Naguilian Road.
He said 32 trucks took off from Camp Aguinaldo yesterday morning to deliver relief goods consisting of water jugs, blankets, clothing, plastic mats, and food packs to Baguio City.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. also said that effective 10 p.m. on Sunday, the military has started winding down its disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in Metro Manila, particularly in the cities of Marikina and Pasig, to focus its resources in Northern Luzon.
Heavy equipments that were used for clearing operations in flooded areas in the NCR will also be brought to the Cordilleras were they are badly needed.
Brawner said some 10,000 troops are now devoted to the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in Northern Luzon.
The Filipino United Network (USA) has launched a typhoon relief fund drive since Ondoy started. And now comes Pepeng and more deaths. Generous people have donated.
To view the heart-rending video clips and pictures of the devastation, please click on the links below.
To open your heart and extend a helping hand, please click on HOME and go back to the homepage of this website and click on the news entitled "Let's open our heart to the victims of Ondoy and Pepeng"
Click on links below for older news.
