NDCC: Cyclone ‘Emong’ damage inching up to P1B

MANILA, Philippines - Damage to property caused by tropical cyclone "Emong" was rising closer to P1 billion late Thursday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said Friday. In its 6 p.m. Thursday update posted on its Web site (www.ndcc.gov.ph) Friday, the NDCC said the total damage to property stood at P959.401 million, with Pangasinan bearing the heaviest impact. Also, the NDCC said Ifugao and La Union, along with the first district towns of Pangasinan - Anda, Bolinao, Alaminos City, Infanta, Mabini, Bani, Sual, Agno, Dasol and Burgos - were placed under a state of calamity. Damage to property includes P687.053 million in agriculture and P272.349 million in infrastructure, the NDCC report said. Pangasinan province has endured the biggest damage to property at P736.444 million - P529.091 million in agriculture and P207.353 million in infrastructure. Some 227 school buildings worth P177.340 million were damaged in Ilocos region, including 125 in Pangasinan. The death toll remained at 55, with 50 reported injured and 12 still missing. Pangasinan has the number of casualties, including 27 dead and 25 injured. Some 84,978 families or 412,380 people in 406 villages in 55 towns and six cities were affected. - GMANews.TV