NDRRMC verifying 2 reported deaths in Cebu due to Agaton

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said it is verifying two reported fatalities in Cebu due to the effects of Tropical Depression Agaton.

Citing information from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Cebu (PDRRMO), NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said one died reportedly due to landslide while one perished in an accident while evacuating.

"Wala tayong report although merong sinasabi for Cebu, may dalawang dead, sa provincial 'yun... provincial government galing 'yung info, 'yung isa landslide, yung isa ito'y kwento tumalon ng bubungan dahil magi-evacuate," Marasigan said.

Marasigan said they are still waiting for the confirmation on the two reported fatalities from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

In a separate interview on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas, PDRRMO information officer Julius Regner identified the landslide victim as Flora Matas, 64 years old from Barangay Looc in Malabuyoc, Cebu.

Regner said flooding in some areas has already subsided and only minor landslides occurred in the province.

Authorities, however, are still monitoring the municipality of Boljoon due to stagnant water in the area.

Meanwhile, residents who were evacuated earlier have returned to their homes on Tuesday.

Tropical Depression Agaton has moved closer to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, according to PAGASA on Tuesday afternoon.

Its center was estimated at 245 kilometers east southeast of Puerto Princesa City or 265 kilometers west of Dumaguete city in Negros Oriental.

A total of 611 families in Capiz, Zamboanga del Norte, Agusan de Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island and Agusan del Norte were preemptively evacuated. —KBK, GMA News